I was watching the news tonight when a report came up in regards to The Scotts Miracle Grow Company. They are a company/campus of around 5,000 employees. The CEO has instated a $5 million "addition" to the companies headquarters.
In an attempt to lower healthcare costs to the company he has opened up a gym, pharmacy and doctors office to all employees for free. Obviosly employeed doctors and available perscriptions directly from the companies wallet will cut costs for healthplans and the like. Also keeps employees happy and healthy, longer working, healthier (cheaper) employees.
I am sure they are not the first to implement something like this but they are also instating another rule. Smoking. For awhile now the headquarters has banned smoking, not on breaks or lunch. Now they want it so their employees do not smoke in their free time. Ever. They will be fired if they do not quit. I can imagine that all new hires will be rejected on the spot if they mention smoking in the interview. Tests will be conducted and smokers will be employeed as long as they are making a valiant and continuos effort to stop.
I am a smoker and I am on the fence with this one. As for the gym, personal training, doctors and RX; nice touch. Now the smoking, I see both sides of the coin here. I understand why a company would do this, smoking is a major contributor to insurance costs. I am though a little upset over the whole if you smoke you fired thing. If I smoke on my free time, and not on the clock that is my busisness. Unless they want to pay me for 24 hours a day to be under their thumb then I can smoke whenever I want as long as I again, am not on the clock.
Thoughts?
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Thoughts?
They're providing your healthcare, for free none the less. If your willing to give up free healthcare from the company and find your own way to get medical care then have at it but I think if your on the companies free healthcare plan - the only right thing to do is to stop any detrimental things to your health (no I don't mean "rock climbing cause you might die" - smoking is a proven cause of several cancers and other problems)
I would apply the same rule to anyone recieving special medical benifits - Your getting money from medicare, stop smoking or else you lose it. You get a new set of lungs, stop smoking or you won't get put on the list. It just seems logical and right. Why give someone medical attention for something that they themselves could have avoided. Of course you can always go to free clinics and no doctor should refuse to treat a patient because they caused it - it's against their code but when it comes to smoking and recieving healthcare, and the like I think that you should still have to pay for it if you don't want to quit.
(sorry if I was rambling but I was rushing, seeya)
I smoked 2 packs a day. It was a ***** to finally quit.
Cigarettes are toxic... simple as that. With all the things we know about smoking now, that we didn't when cigarettes were first produced, it's crazy that they haven't been outlawed already.
I see someone with a cigarette, and I can't help mentally branding them as "weak minded" It may be wrong, but that's how I see smokers these days.
To predict the future, I believe many companies will begin to phase smoking out in the workplace. Going past that to actually forbiding smokers a job, I think is a stretch.
Quit. Put the extra $150.00/mo into an interest bearing account, and reward yourself for breaking the addiction.
Cigarettes are toxic... simple as that. With all the things we know about smoking now, that we didn't when cigarettes were first produced, it's crazy that they haven't been outlawed already.
I see someone with a cigarette, and I can't help mentally branding them as "weak minded" It may be wrong, but that's how I see smokers these days.
To predict the future, I believe many companies will begin to phase smoking out in the workplace. Going past that to actually forbiding smokers a job, I think is a stretch.
Quit. Put the extra $150.00/mo into an interest bearing account, and reward yourself for breaking the addiction.
I'm with the employer on this one. It's not the responsibilty of an employer to find any aspect of your or my life acceptable, from taste in clothing to personal diet to what particluar poisons we deliberately put into our own bodies.
So long as the policy is applied uniformly, regardless of race, religion, sex, or age I think it's proper for a company to decide who they will and will not employ based on criteria that have nothing to do with our guaranteed freedoms.
So long as the policy is applied uniformly, regardless of race, religion, sex, or age I think it's proper for a company to decide who they will and will not employ based on criteria that have nothing to do with our guaranteed freedoms.
I like the no smoking idea. Apart from preventing people from smelling like *** at work, it's better for the individual employee also.
I'm sure their line of thought is that it's an addictive substance, one that in the end employees would be happier, healthier and more productive without.
Though it is reaching a bit far. Most employers outside the sports field wouldn't dare try to touch an employees personal life. I'd be interested how this plays out.
I'm sure their line of thought is that it's an addictive substance, one that in the end employees would be happier, healthier and more productive without.
Though it is reaching a bit far. Most employers outside the sports field wouldn't dare try to touch an employees personal life. I'd be interested how this plays out.
My employer has an on-site gym and personal trainers, a nurse practitioner you can see for free, weekly blood pressure clinics and the lot. Yet my employer doesn't even drug test, and builds us plexiglass buildings to smoke in. What they do instead is fire people before the cumulative effects of a life lived poorly begin to effect the bottom line.
Down the parkway from my office there is a competing company who has barred smoking on all of their property, and one frequently sees their employees at the park or cruising around smoking. If my employer did this I'd start looking around, as I see mine as the will that should be bent to.
Down the parkway from my office there is a competing company who has barred smoking on all of their property, and one frequently sees their employees at the park or cruising around smoking. If my employer did this I'd start looking around, as I see mine as the will that should be bent to.
That companies attitude sounds similar to mine.
In return for extremely pleasant working conditions and environment, free healthcare and numerous other perks I am asked to restrict myself in some ways during working hours.
I cannot drink alchohol at any time in working hours (unless on a company sanctioned event) and I cannot smoke on company premises.
These do not bother me much as I do not drink but for weekends socially and I do not smoke at all
But well .. the point is I see these as minor gripes to bear in return for receiving other wonderful benefits.
For the OP, restricting your lifestyle outside of work is SO wrong I cannot comment too much without being a little upset. A company pays you for your time, in that time they can dictate within reason your behaviour but once you clock off? As long as you turn up the next day ready to work, your time is your own.
I totally disagree with them banning you smoking in your free time. It sets a dangerous precedent. What is next?
In return for extremely pleasant working conditions and environment, free healthcare and numerous other perks I am asked to restrict myself in some ways during working hours.
I cannot drink alchohol at any time in working hours (unless on a company sanctioned event) and I cannot smoke on company premises.
These do not bother me much as I do not drink but for weekends socially and I do not smoke at all
But well .. the point is I see these as minor gripes to bear in return for receiving other wonderful benefits. For the OP, restricting your lifestyle outside of work is SO wrong I cannot comment too much without being a little upset. A company pays you for your time, in that time they can dictate within reason your behaviour but once you clock off? As long as you turn up the next day ready to work, your time is your own.
I totally disagree with them banning you smoking in your free time. It sets a dangerous precedent. What is next?
Well its good to see that some other companies have instated doctors and gyms.
My company has no problem with smoking but they do with drinking. We are a beer distributor and the lives of many employees revolves around alcohol. They [management] will intervine if you become a party animal. For the salesman it is their duty to support their accounts and that can lead to some late night drink fests. You have to keep acounts happy by hanging out at their establishemnet but moderation is key.
Also you will be fired if you get a DUI or DWI. Another way to be shown a pink slip is too be caught drinking a competitors product. We sell some good beers but other then Guinness and Long Trail, everything is pretty much crap commercial beers. If Im out with everyone from work Ill sneak a craft beer of micro brew in a pint and pass it off as something we carry. At home in the kegerator on tap is a craft beer from Pennsylvania, complete with point of sale promoting "Whats on Tap" at Keith's Bar. I have to be careful who I invite over.
My company has no problem with smoking but they do with drinking. We are a beer distributor and the lives of many employees revolves around alcohol. They [management] will intervine if you become a party animal. For the salesman it is their duty to support their accounts and that can lead to some late night drink fests. You have to keep acounts happy by hanging out at their establishemnet but moderation is key.
Also you will be fired if you get a DUI or DWI. Another way to be shown a pink slip is too be caught drinking a competitors product. We sell some good beers but other then Guinness and Long Trail, everything is pretty much crap commercial beers. If Im out with everyone from work Ill sneak a craft beer of micro brew in a pint and pass it off as something we carry. At home in the kegerator on tap is a craft beer from Pennsylvania, complete with point of sale promoting "Whats on Tap" at Keith's Bar. I have to be careful who I invite over.
I think everyone agrees that smoking is detrimental to your health, so I can understand an employer not wanting to pay for that. Having those extra benefits in trade is a pretty good deal if you ask me.
The one worry I have is what the next step is. Next they'll be saying you can't participate in any dangerous activities. No skiing or snowboarding, you might break a leg or worse. No skydiving, your parachute might not open, or open partially and end up with a broken back or something.
I've seen stories on ESPN about NFL quarterbacks being more or less told not to ride their motorcycles during the season. Now granted, if I were getting paid 10 million a year I might be willing to concede that without a fuss. It just makes you wonder how far companies will end up taking it.
The one worry I have is what the next step is. Next they'll be saying you can't participate in any dangerous activities. No skiing or snowboarding, you might break a leg or worse. No skydiving, your parachute might not open, or open partially and end up with a broken back or something.
I've seen stories on ESPN about NFL quarterbacks being more or less told not to ride their motorcycles during the season. Now granted, if I were getting paid 10 million a year I might be willing to concede that without a fuss. It just makes you wonder how far companies will end up taking it.
Some people are like slinkies, they aren't really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.
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