With unemployment still high, hiring managers are excluding smokers.

More discrimination.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41780533/ns/business-careers/


This is infuriating, and we wonder why were still out of work. Basically all they want are to recycle those already in the work force. No consideration to the 15+ million jobs shipped over seas. Apparently if we were valuable employees those jobs would never of been shipped over seas.. Where is the logic in that?

Lifespan, a large group of hospitals and medical providers in this state, clearly state in their "help wanted" ads they are tobacco free and users need not apply.

Its only illegal in some states to segregate for that reason. Its sickening.

The reason they say they can do it is related to the cost of employee benefits, i.e., health insurance, life insurance, long term sick, etc.

Duh, how do they know if you smoke

rgreen001 wrote:Duh, how do they know if you smoke

You have to sign a form stating you don't and if they smell it on you, you are gone.

I don't know if they could legally get away with this. If you smoke and you're working for their company and they fire you, you could have a basis for unlawful termination. It could be a form discrimination, even if they don't want smokers working for them or if you marked the box that says you don't smoke.

They get around this with the health insurance excuse. Unfortunately, people who would like to apply for some of these jobs are unemployed and can't afford an attorney to challenge this policy.

Here is an example of Lifespan's recruitment ads:

Job Description

Contract Administrator (Job Number:

LIF00011J)
Organization

: Lifespan Corporate Services Department/Unit

: Payer Relations and Contracting
Primary Location

: United States
Education Level

: Bachelor's Degree Employee Status

: Regular Schedule

: Full-time
Shift

: Days (Monday-Friday 8-4:30 pm) Standard Hours

: 40
Description

: Lifespan
Corporate Services is tobacco free and we do not hire users of tobacco
products. If you are a user of tobacco products, you are expected to
disclose this to Lifespan Corporate Services Human Resources.

Important Note:

If you are applying for a position within
Lifespan Corporate Services (LCS) and you are not currently employed in
LCS, or in another Lifespan affiliate, you will not be considered for
employment if you are a current user of tobacco products.



Under the general direction of the Director, Payer Relations and
Contracting, negotiate Lifespan Healthcare Contracts. Responsible for
contract analysis, evaluation and negotiation of new and existing
managed care contracts. Coordinate contracting efforts with key
departments to support new business opportunities, and maximize system
performance.

Qualifications


: Equivalent
to B.S./BA in business, finance, or a health care related management
field. Knowledge of all aspects of the medical delivery system.
Understanding of finance, reimbursement and contract administration in a
healthcare environment preferred.

5 years progressively responsible business, finance or related
administrative experience in a complex healthcare environment. Contract
analysis and negotiation experience preferred.

Performs independently within Lifespan's Managed Care policies and procedures, referring unusual problems to Supervisor.

we have both tried to quit smoking...but as stress rises the cigs are hard to put down...im sure some of the smokers would quit if they had a job n could cut some of the stress n anxiety out of their lives..jeff rolls his own other wise could not afford...n have both cut down..

It is really hard to quit when you have nothing on your mind other than the stress of how we are going to make it from one day to the next.

DesperateInRI wrote:It is really hard to quit when you have nothing on your mind other than the stress of how we are going to make it from one day to the next.

ya know another thing has happened as a smoker also.....i go to the walk.in clinic to get any medical care i need and birthcontrol and such...i have had the nurse ask me if you can afford cigerettes why cant you afford birthcontrol n any other medical costs....i ve been getting bills ever since...i had mentioned to the doctor one day about the situation and he brought the woman in the room and the nurse flat out lied and said she never asked such a thing......now when i go there she will not even look at me

kelly wrote:

DesperateInRI wrote:It is really hard to quit when you have nothing on your mind other than the stress of how we are going to make it from one day to the next.

ya know another thing has happened as a smoker also.....i go to the walk.in clinic to get any medical care i need and birthcontrol and such...i have had the nurse ask me if you can afford cigerettes why cant you afford birthcontrol n any other medical costs....i ve been getting bills ever since...i had mentioned to the doctor one day about the situation and he brought the woman in the room and the nurse flat out lied and said she never asked such a thing......now when i go there she will not even look at me

Things like this burn me up! Some people are so self-righteous and have NO clue how millions of people are suffering. What really gets me is that there is never any questions about your use of alcohol. Drug addiction and alcoholism are considered "illnesses" and the people who suffer from this are protected under HIPAA. Smokers are hung out to dry.

What are they going to do when all the tobacco farms are closed down and the workers let go?

DesperateInRI wrote:

kelly wrote:

DesperateInRI wrote:It is really hard to quit when you have nothing on your mind other than the stress of how we are going to make it from one day to the next.

ya know another thing has happened as a smoker also.....i go to the walk.in clinic to get any medical care i need and birthcontrol and such...i have had the nurse ask me if you can afford cigerettes why cant you afford birthcontrol n any other medical costs....i ve been getting bills ever since...i had mentioned to the doctor one day about the situation and he brought the woman in the room and the nurse flat out lied and said she never asked such a thing......now when i go there she will not even look at me

Things like this burn me up! Some people are so self-righteous and have NO clue how millions of people are suffering. What really gets me is that there is never any questions about your use of alcohol. Drug addiction and alcoholism are considered "illnesses" and the people who suffer from this are protected under HIPAA. Smokers are hung out to dry.

What are they going to do when all the tobacco farms are closed down and the workers let go?

i know....i was really upset when this first happened, i have been going to the same place for years n was on a first name basis with most who worked there....i went from smoking more than a pack a day, to making a pack last 4 days.....i told the woman this but it didnt seem to matter...i explained i had been trying to quit and that i really couldnt afford to smoke but she now has me paying full price....very aggrivating....i mean do the want people who cant afford birth control to just have kids instead?
i know someone who actually told me she had her third child because she couldnt afford birth control.....HELLO,what do you think having a baby costs

Employers can ask but if they exclude you from employment based on your smoking habit, it can challenged in court. Simply file a complaint with the EEOC in your state.

From what I found out, from an article a few years ago, the following states protect smoker's rights when it comes to employment:

Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

The article?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080619073037AAdsOhy

There's also information about some court cases, as well.

I know I'm going to get crucified for this remark, but have to make it anyway - it's my nature Has anyone had the misfortune of working with a smoker or had one working in their midst? Smoking is perhaps the foulest habit a person can have other than uncontrollable gas. Smokers should recognize how bad they smell - it creates a really negative atmosphere for those that surround them. Not only do they get to take frequent breaks to support their addiction, but it interrupts business when they are in positions that make their availability important. It wasn't that long ago that we all had to smell as bad, because they were free to smoke in the workplace - I participated in a class action lawsuit which ultimately restricted smoking in our facility - I smelled like a stale cigar at the end of every day. Wear a patch while at work or chew some nicotine gum - use a smokeless cigarette - but regardless, your clothes need to be aired out as well, since you carry the odor from the stale atmosphere in your home. Sorry, but it's a habit that must be stopped. You will save yourself sooooo much money and all of us a ton of money for the healthcare portion that you will consume.

Fortunately, while I had worked with smokers before, the companies that I have worked for had banned smoking in the building. So, I never had to deal with it.

Long as they don't deliberately violate my personal space with their smoking, then I have no problem with it.

kemcha wrote:Fortunately, while I had worked with smokers before, the companies that I have worked for had banned smoking in the building. So, I never had to deal with it.

Long as they don't deliberately violate my personal space with their smoking, then I have no problem with it.

Yeah, they pile on the front door of the building and you have to walk through them all in getting in and out, then you reek too.

In RI, smoking areas for employees must be at least 100 feet away from any entrances. Some employers have built little "smoking huts", but most don't accommodate smokers. If it is raining or snowing, smokers get soaked.

mistermunster, I know that feeling, all too well. Then, if you're a non-smoker, you get blamed for it, as if it were your fault that they smoke.

kemcha wrote:mistermunster, I know that feeling, all too well. Then, if you're a non-smoker, you get blamed for it, as if it were your fault that they smoke.

Corporate PROFITS to addict and KILL you with their poison product.

mistermunster wrote:

kemcha wrote:mistermunster, I know that feeling, all too well. Then, if you're a non-smoker, you get blamed for it, as if it were your fault that they smoke.

Corporate PROFITS to addict and KILL you with their poison product.

So do drugs and alcohol. I enjoy a drink maybe two or three times a year and I am NOT a prohibitionist. But tell me, what are they going to do when the tobacco industry dies? From Maryland to South Carolina, a lot of people are going to be without a job.

The tobacco industry is going to go that route. I believe that massive tobacco lawsuit was just re-instated against Big Tobacco.

kemcha wrote:The tobacco industry is going to go that route. I believe that massive tobacco lawsuit was just re-instated against Big Tobacco.

Keeps the big law firms in business. IMO, there are just as many other "evils" in the world as the tobacco industry.

I am sorry, but that is discrimination IMO...As long as an employee abides by the rules/laws and does not smoke at work or on the premises then it shouldn't be anyones business. Just because someone smokes does not make them less of a worker. I dont know anyone that got more breaks because they smoke. people I know would smoke on their designated breaks and away from everyone else.