Company fires 7 for smoking outside of work...

'97ventureowner · #1 02-08-2005, 11:33 PM

From news24.com:Washington - A United States health care company has fired seven workers who refused to quit smoking.

Michigan-based Weyco Inc's new policy bans its staff from smoking - even away from work - to cut health care costs.

"Some call this a violation of privacy," Weyco president Howard Weyers said in a statement.

"Weyco is proud of its stance on smoking and wellness.

"For every smoker who quits because of it, there will be many people - family members, friends, co-workers - who are very thankful the person won't be going to an early grave."

The company told workers in late 2003 that smokers would not be employed after January 1.

About 15 to 20 of the firm's 200 employees were smokers at the time and about a dozen quit smoking.

So what do you guys think about how business is trying to control what we do in our private lives? And how far will it go? I'm not a smoker, but I think this goes a little too far.

Marc-OS · #2 02-08-2005, 11:50 PM

That does seem a bit out of line, I can understand making them not smoke at work, but I don't think they can say no to not smoking at home. They should have just implemented a bonus program for those who don't smoke, or quit smoking.

RickwithaTbird · #3 02-09-2005, 12:33 AM

If I owned a business I would want to have the right to decide who I hire. If I don't want alcoholics working for me, or if I don't want cigarette smokers working for me, or if I do or don't want weed smokers working for me, I think I should be allowed to decide. I only feel that way when it comes to drugs or alcohol though, not hobbies or anything. But really, I dont know. Its a tough call. I believe in equal opp. for race, sex, religion, but I believe cigarettes to be a drug, and if a company doesn't want drug users, not excluding cigarette smokers, then I can't really argue that. I understand other people will never agree with that, but I can just accept it as a difference of opinion. So since it aint my call, I will just toss my opinion in there, and let the lawmakers handle it.

KustmAce · #4 02-09-2005, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickwithaTbird

If I owned a business I would want to have the right to decide who I hire. If I don't want alcoholics working for me, or if I don't want cigarette smokers working for me, or if I do or don't want weed smokers working for me, I think I should be allowed to decide. I only feel that way when it comes to drugs or alcohol though, not hobbies or anything. But really, I dont know. Its a tough call. I believe in equal opp. for race, sex, religion, but I believe cigarettes to be a drug, and if a company doesn't want drug users, not excluding cigarette smokers, then I can't really argue that. I understand other people will never agree with that, but I can just accept it as a difference of opinion. So since it aint my call, I will just toss my opinion in there, and let the lawmakers handle it.

Its not a question of not hiring people, its the fact that they got fired for it, and thats just wrong.

Porsche · #5 02-09-2005, 12:53 AM

Harsh but fair.

With any luck, smoking will be illegal in the next 50 or so years. We're quickly become self-aware of where smoking is going and this is just a small, albeit harsh step in the right direction.

They're a health care company too, it's like a police officer repeatedly breaking the law.

TexasF355F1 · #6 02-09-2005, 01:01 AM

You know, I don't like cigarette smoke. But that's not to say that I don't believe people to have the right to do so. People know the risks, and I'm getting sick and tired of the government and everyone else trying to tell people what they can and can't put into their(our) own fucking bodies. I can understand a company saying no smoking while on the job, or if you are a smoker you will be denied health benefits for certain aspects of care. Just let people do what the hell they want to. It's their own bodies and they can do so to them as they please. Damn this kinda shit gets me irritated.

RickwithaTbird · #7 02-09-2005, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KustmAce

Its not a question of not hiring people, its the fact that they got fired for it

Understood. I still feel the same.

RickwithaTbird · #8 02-09-2005, 01:05 AM

Texas, this isnt the government telling them not to do it. Its the employer saying stop or else we dont want you to work for us anymore. IMO the employer should have that right.

my3rdskyline · #9 02-09-2005, 01:06 AM

i thought shit like that only happened in the military... the company doesn't fucking own you. if they want to say you can't smoke on our property or you can't smoke while you are on duty.. fine. but on your own time, in your own home? those people need to get bent. who gives a shit about statistics and charts. I don't want the fucking MAN in every aspect of my life. go to work to work. then leave.

Porsche · #10 02-09-2005, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasF355F1

Just let people do what the hell they want to. It's their own bodies and they can do so to them as they please. Damn this kinda shit gets me irritated.

The government wants to make sure it has nice healthy taxpayers.

Yes, it's your own body, but if you propagate such self-destrcutive mentalities as this to impressionable young children, you're not really helping anybody, not even yourself then are you?

my3rdskyline · #11 02-09-2005, 01:11 AM

In the military they do this shit all the time... for instance. there's a new thing that just came down in okinawa... no participating in or even spectating of drifting, even on a legal track. what bullshit is that. they said it was because it's dangerous. well i'm in the military and i have to do what the fuck i'm told but i feel that as a human i should be able to judge risks and be responsible for myself and the activities I choose to partake in so long as they abide by the law... there's nothing anyone should be able to do about it... now if something came down that said smoking was illegal... that's a different story. then the employer can do that... obviously.

what if you got fired because you drag race legally? got fired for scuba diving? fired for mountain biking because it's too much of a liability.

what the fuck. how old are these people anyway that the company thinks it is an imminent danger for there people to be smoking. shit... god forbid they DRIVE to work!

KustmAce · #12 02-09-2005, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my3rdskyline

In the military...no participating in or even spectating of drifting, even on a legal track...because it's dangerous...

Anyone else find that really ironic?

Sluttypatton · #13 02-09-2005, 01:43 AM

I like smoking, I do it because I choose to, and to have someone force their beliefs and values on me is completely out of line. I am fully aware of the health risks, and fully accept them. I am always very conscious about smoking in public, and make sure my cigarette smoke will not affect anyone else. It bothers me that some people can not accept that despite the fact that smoking is bad for you, it is the individuals choice.

my3rdskyline · #14 02-09-2005, 02:17 AM

it's not about smoking. it's just that... okay.. what else then? where is the line?

Sluttypatton · #15 02-09-2005, 02:27 AM

Sorry, the slippery slope argument doesn't hold any water whatsoever. Anyone who needs to ask where to draw the line probably isn't in charge of his bodily functions, let alone a company. Anything illegal, or that somehow interferes with your line of work should clearly not be allowed. Cigarettes are neither, unless you work at a gas station for example, in which case I would agree that if they want to smoke they should have to go elsewhere.

Put aside your personal opinion for a moment and ask yourself if you believe it would be fair for me to fire people for eating McDonalds outside of work. Sure it isn't illegal and doesn't interfere with your work, but it's bad for you.

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