LIP- Not being hired for being a smoker

Katie829 · March 2011

A hospital is screening for nicotine in your system, if you fail you will not be hired. What does everyone think?

https://cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2011/03/15/dnt.no.hiring.smokers.WDIV

ETA: I am not sure why the link won't work, but you can c&p the link and it'll work.

Katie829 · March 2011

I am not a smoker, and prefer that when I go to the hospital, I not smell a nurse or doctor to that has just smoked.

However I don't think a company can mandate something that is legal.

kristie6406377 · March 2011

I think that's illegal. And I don't smoke.

Megaloo05 · March 2011

I am a nurse and do not smoke. Our hospital campus is smoke free. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a nurse or MD comes up within smelling distance and STINKS of smoke. it literally makes me gag. However i don't think someone should not get a job because they smoke, I just think they shouldn't do it at work.

Jlr07 · March 2011

I couldn't see the video you posted, but...

I work for a substance abuse agency, in the Prevention department, and we have been known to turn away smokers from jobs. One of the girls who works here was turned down twice before she finally quit, and was then given the position.

Honestly- it's hard for me to say. I hate smoke (smelling it, seeing it, etc), and there are some ethical questions about educating people to quit without being able to do it yourself. But at the same time, I'm overweight, should I be refused a job I'm capable of doing because I have trouble living a healthy lifestyle?

It's a tough one!

hnh1205 · March 2011

Megaloo05:
I am a nurse and do not smoke. Our hospital campus is smoke free. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a nurse or MD comes up within smelling distance and STINKS of smoke. it literally makes me gag. However i don't think someone should not get a job because they smoke, I just think they shouldn't do it at work.

Same here...I hate the way it smells at work, and I hate it when they go into patients rooms smelling like this. My hospital is smoke free as well, and a couple of months ago, they implemented a new health care plan. Health insurance is now doubled for smokers. We had to sign a legal waiver to keep the cheaper insurance, and if smokers are caught lying they will be fined and could face criminal prosecution. Crazy. Def don't think people shouldn't be hired bc of it though.

Jlr07 · March 2011

sheveen2009:

I know of an insurance company where I live that has the no smoking mandate, they can't even smoke socially *read once in awhile while drinking.* If they are caught they will be fired too. In all fairness they do have to sign off on it in their offer letter though.

I do agree with some less drastic measure though. My company announced they will start charging extra premiums for smokers. They were nice and gave them 12 months to quit! Iowa has also banned smoking in bars and restaurants...I can tell you as a non smoker IT IS FANTASTIC to go out and not need to shower when you go home!

I'm from Iowa- are you from Iowa? Where at?

Dwinalsinlove · March 2011

The hospital that I will eventually deliver at instituted this policy a year ago. It made some waves at first but as far as I know they are still doing it. If you test positive they will not hire you, give you information on how to quite and tell you to come back when you are positive that you can test clean.

I'm not sure if they randomly test you once you work there. In PA and 20 other states this is completely legal. I have no problem with a work place setting their own requirements for this sort of thing. I believe it is in their power to decide if they want smokers working there.

This is coming from an ex-smoker.

btaylor19 · March 2011

I think it is ridiculous. Smoking is legal, so we can't start punishing people for doing it in their own time. I am 100% in agreeance with smoke free ordinances though. They have the right to smoke, but I have the right to breath fresh air.

Do they have a way of distinguishing cigarette nicotine from nicotine gum? My mom quit 15 years ago, but still needs an occasional piece of nicorette when she gets stressed. Would that disqualify her?

GraceInCA · March 2011

I'm not in the medical field but I won't hire a smoker either but not because of health insurance costs. I always feel bad for people at work who don't get to leave for ten minutes every hour to have a smoke while they watch their smoking co-workers do it. Back in the day when I worked retail it really sucked to be stuck working twice as hard and for more hours in a day than the smokers, especially during the holiday season.

Don't even get me started on the smell. It's nasty. I definitely don't want to be treated by a doctor or nurse who reeks of it. Smokers never realize it either. One of my mom's friends always likes to say, "I smoke but nobody knows it." No sugar we all know it.

Megaloo05 · March 2011

sheveen2009:

I know of an insurance company where I live that has the no smoking mandate, they can't even smoke socially *read once in awhile while drinking.* If they are caught they will be fired too. In all fairness they do have to sign off on it in their offer letter though.

I do agree with some less drastic measure though. My company announced they will start charging extra premiums for smokers. They were nice and gave them 12 months to quit! Iowa has also banned smoking in bars and restaurants...I can tell you as a non smoker IT IS FANTASTIC to go out and not need to shower when you go home!

AMEN!!!!

Dwinalsinlove · March 2011

btaylor19:

I think it is ridiculous. Smoking is legal, so we can't start punishing people for doing it in their own time. I am 100% in agreeance with smoke free ordinances though. They have the right to smoke, but I have the right to breath fresh air.

Do they have a way of distinguishing cigarette nicotine from nicotine gum? My mom quit 15 years ago, but still needs an occasional piece of nicorette when she gets stressed. Would that disqualify her?

This is a really good point. I wonder if they do but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't. MH had to go through a similar situation at his current job. He tested positive for amphetimines on a drug test. After they did a more complete test and found out it was the many energy drinks he was consuming.

Mrs.Slick · March 2011

While I feel it's ridiculous I also think, is anyone forcing them to apply there? As long as their position is stated and well known, then it's your decision to apply for a job there.

But like I said, I still think it's ridiculous.

cheese.fiend · March 2011

{Law Nerd Alert}

Legally, the company has every right to make that call as smokers aren't a "protected class." Same goes for obesity and (very, very unfortunately - although I do hope this changes very soon) - sexual orientation. Fair? Nope. Legal? Yes.

Personally, I don't dislike smokers and don't care what my colleagues (or friends) do so long as they aren't sitting in my office reeking of smoke. I smoked for a while when I was living abroad and when I was bar tending in between college and law school, but I cannot stand the smell of cigarettes now. I know how hard it is to quit and I think it's a bit sad to be potentially penalized for something that might be a serious addiction.

I guess can see where the office is coming from though... health insurance would likely be much lower and it would create a more pleasant work environment for those who are sensitive to smoke.

rsrs807 · March 2011

I have no problem with this.

ccam · March 2011

I think that's ridiculous and don't agree at all. They aren't doing anything illegal. It's one thing to make your company grounds "smoke free", but to not hire someone because they smoke is crazy.

SmittyPants · March 2011

As someone who is currently in the process of quitting, I think the f*^cking things should be illegal.

As someone who thinks that what people do during their private time is just that, I think this is ridiculous.

GPhiBGirl · March 2011

I am a Recruiter for a hospital who does this and we ask this question on our application and if the candidate is a smoker, we do not consider them for employment. We are covered by law because we are a healthcare provider.

We are also a smoke-free campus and have terminated quite a few employee's who have been caught smoking. Not only are they breaking our policy, but they falsified their application by answering "no" to the question.

I think it's a great thing, especially since we are here to promote health and well-being. Additionally, our patients, staff, and visitors really appreciate it.

cantalopes24 · March 2011

Jlr07:
I couldn't see the video you posted, but...

I work for a substance abuse agency, in the Prevention department, and we have been known to turn away smokers from jobs. One of the girls who works here was turned down twice before she finally quit, and was then given the position.

Honestly- it's hard for me to say. I hate smoke (smelling it, seeing it, etc), and there are some ethical questions about educating people to quit without being able to do it yourself. But at the same time, I'm overweight, should I be refused a job I'm capable of doing because I have trouble living a healthy lifestyle?

It's a tough one!

I am in the same field and I vehemently disagree someones personal experience with substance use, aside from showing up to work impaired, ethically or in any way effects their ability to effectively counsel someone.

buckeyebride22 · March 2011

I just interviewed at a hospital that did that. Didn't really bother me because I don't smoke. I understand why though. At my first job if you were a smoker you had to pay more for health insurance. I think that is a little more fair.

elandric · March 2011

Ive worked for a company that was "smoke free campus" They required a screening before employment. I'm not a smoker, so It really didn't bother me. They clearly state this on their application, so you know well in advance. I worked there years ago and I know that to this day they still have the same policy. I guess, I don't see why they cant do this, it has nothing to do with factors that would need protection against discrimination.

PecanSam · March 2011

B/c of the mood I'm in right now....

What really irriatates me is my insurance won't pay for infertility treatments, even though I didn't do anything to cause infertility (I know no one is forcing me to get pregnant).

But someone who smokes for how ever long, develops cancer b/c of it, is completely covered for all their cancer treatments.

I cannot stand to be near someone who smells like smoke. I love that most bars don't allow it anymore. I think it's great that I could go to a healthcare facility and my Dr./nurse who is treating me doesn't smell like smoke.

kc10786 · March 2011

Megaloo05:
I am a nurse and do not smoke. Our hospital campus is smoke free. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a nurse or MD comes up within smelling distance and STINKS of smoke. it literally makes me gag. However i don't think someone should not get a job because they smoke, I just think they shouldn't do it at work.

Ditto all this. I am an RN and our hospital campus is smoke free too, for everyone including guests, employees etc. If there is nicotine in your system they will not hire you, and they do random screenings.

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