Smoking grounds for dismissal

[bejohnson]

Smoking grounds for dismissal
Aftenposten English Web Desk
Jonathan Tisdall
Updated: 31 Dec, 11:42 (GMT+1)


Employees at Haukeland Hospital can lose their jobs for smoking on shift, even if they leave the building to light up. The hospital is introducing a ban on smoking that includes the area outside the complex, and violations can lead to firing, Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) reports.

"They can do what they want in their private life but when they are on the job they can't smoke," said hospital information chief Mona Hoegli.

In 2004 Haukeland Hospital will strictly enforce the health sector's no smoking policy, and with a recent survey showing that 31 percent of Bergen's 8,000 health workers smoke, this should be a controversial decision.

Hospital management informed staff that being caught smoking three times will lead to an official meeting, and that continued departure from regulations will be handles like any other violation of job directives, and can result in termination.

Hospital orderly and smoker Gunnar Johannesen has taken the news seriously, but is prepared to cope.

"We have a very strict boss. I don't think I will have a problem controlling myself. At least, he isn't going to catch me, to put it that way," Johanessen said.

What do you think about this tough anti-smoking rule?

[neutralz]

dang then how would smokers cope??

imagine a nurse jabbing a needle in with shaking hands etc..
>_<
poor concentration, withdrawal symptoms..etc

[bejohnson]

Originally posted by Whisp[TR]
while on break it is their time since they are not geting paid

so that time belongs to the employee

if they leave the area and not on the property of the hospital then they have no rights to control that person from smoking

they can only control when on their property of the hospital

Usually 10 - 15 minute breaks are paid breaks and the employee does not clock out. Only if the employee clocks out is he or she on his own time.

[wazman]

But Whisp is right about one thing - if they leave hospital property, the hospital has no right to tell them what they can and can't do. That's like a lot of places - once you're off their property, they have no control over you.

I would imagine in this case though it's more an image thing - doesn't look very good for the patients that come in to see their doctors and nurses outside puffing up...

[bejohnson]

Originally posted by wazman
But Whisp is right about one thing - if they leave hospital property, the hospital has no right to tell them what they can and can't do. That's like a lot of places - once you're off their property, they have no control over you.

I would imagine in this case though it's more an image thing - doesn't look very good for the patients that come in to see their doctors and nurses outside puffing up...

If they leave the property and clock out which means that they are on their own time, you're right, Waz. But if they leave the property on hospital business whether in a hospital vehicle or not, if they are on the clock and the hospital is paying them then the hospital can tell them not to smoke.

I think you are right about the image and I imagine that the health care cost will decrease if the hospital succeeds in getting the majority of the people to quit all together. That would be the only way most smokers could go for 4 or 8 hours without a cigarette.

Another thing is to someone that doesn't smoke a smoker smells terrible. The clothing and skin picks up the odor of stale cigarette smoke. To me a smoker smells like a dirty ashtray or worse.:Sigh