Smoke Free Policy????
CJK7
5 Posts
It may be hard to believe in this day and age but our manufacturing facility is NOT a smoke free facility! Our plant manager called me this morning and is furious because again this morning the building had to be evacuated due to smoking that set off the fire alarms. He wants to NOW institute a policy of a smoke free environment. I have SEVERAL questions on how to do this! Everywhere I have worked has been smoke free and I have never had to develop a strategy to institute this! HELP!
*How do we accomplish this?
*What do we need to consider in implementing this?
*If an employee quits because we tell them that they can no longer smoke in the building, can they file for unemployment?
*Are there any legal issues we need to consider?
If you know of a good website to research this information, please advise.
Thanking you in advance for your assistance!
*How do we accomplish this?
*What do we need to consider in implementing this?
*If an employee quits because we tell them that they can no longer smoke in the building, can they file for unemployment?
*Are there any legal issues we need to consider?
If you know of a good website to research this information, please advise.
Thanking you in advance for your assistance!
Comments
I think you need to draft your policy first (and reserve your right to revise as needed, because you will). Decide where your smoking areas will be located. You will need to order the appropriate "stuff" for those areas, i.e. ashtrays, table, umbrella/patio covering. Depending on the weather in your state/area, it may be good employee relations to provide more protection from the elements, etc. And keep in mind that the area should be accessible to employees w/disabilities. And safe (if you have employees who work at night or if you are in a "rough" area.
In UI court, as the employer, we have to show a compelling reason for terminating someone's employment. Equally, the employee has a similar burden as to why they would quit their employment. As long as you have established a reasonable policy, established a place for the employees to smoke and enfore the policy uniformly, then I do not think that an employee could argue that their resignation was a constructive discharge.
This is the policy I wrote for our EE Handbook. Use as you wish.
In keeping with COMPANY NAME's intent to provide a safe and healthful work environment, smoking is prohibited throughout the workplace. Outdoor smoking areas are provided. At no time is smoking allowed in locker rooms, hallways, restrooms, stair wells or any other public areas. Off-duty staff may smoke in public areas provided they are out of company uniform. Employee are reminded to properly dispose of all trash items, including cigarette butts and matches.
Margaret Morford
theHRedge
615-371-8200
[email]mmorford@mleesmith.com[/email]
[url]http://www.thehredge.net[/url]