Is it wrong to refuse to hire people who smoke?

[jdj]

sorry for the copy-cat, but I want opinions about this.

When I applied at Atlanta Bread Company, in Asheville NC a few years ago they said that they did not hire smokers, period, because it ended up being two staffs, one that smokes and one that doesn't.

I don't smoke but I think that is a little strange.

And it had nothing to do with insurance, because they were a contract agency with that company and didn't offer any insurance or benefits.

[purduejake]

1. Yes, it's wrong.

Business should not be manipulating what people do with their personal time.

[DearAbby]

2. who will be next?

Its a form of prejudice

[kevinmc]

7. Here's one...............

Anyone having sex outside of marriage. They are a STD risk. These morons can go as far as they want.

[Not_Giving_Up]

3. There's a software company in Houston that refuses to hire smokers

I applied anyway, but didn't get the job. When they called me to interview, they specifically told me that they did not hire smokers.

[MrSlayer]

4. Discrimination sucks.

As long as they don't smoke while working what's the big deal? I've been on non smoking jobs before and you just smoke on your break and at lunch.

[eyesroll]

5. In Wisconsin, it's illegal

Use of legal products during non-work hours and off the premesis is a protected activity. Unless it's a bona fide occupational qualification -- i.e. it's the American Lung Association and they're hiring an anti-smoking educator -- they can't fire you or refuse to hire you if you smoke.

I do thing it's wrong to refuse to hire smokers, but if a company really wants, they can make it difficult for smokers to work there -- it's legal to require employees stay on-site during paid breaks, and it's legal to disallow smoking on-site. People who don't want to go for four or five hours between cigarettes probably wouldn't work there.

A better way to address all of this would be for companies to offer incentives -- I've heard of companies that offer partial reimbursement for health-improving activities, including smoking cessation, gym membership, etc.

[Inland]

9. Same law in Illinois. nt

[UdoKier]

6. No. But they have no business testing people.

They can stipulate that they want to only hire non-smokers for whatever reason, but they shouldn't be able to invade your privacy to verify that.

[Warpy]

8. they were probably referring to the bonding

over those once an hour outdoor smoke breaks, taken while the nonsmokers remained dutifully at their desks, creating an "us and them" mentality among both groups.

I will never understand why smokers don't use the gum at work, why they insist on standing outside in all kinds of weather to suck that stuff into their lungs.

However, I think it's dead wrong to refuse to hire people who are engaging in a legal activity on their own time, and I think this stuff is going to result in the addition of workers' rights at a time when they're generally being eroded.

[SoCalDem]

10. The same mentality could be extended to women vs men

blacks vs whites..

People automatically "form groups".. It's just a fact.

Women in offices will congregate to discuss their kids, their "female issues", their families, etc..

Men will group together to talk sports, cars, etc..

Ever see a lunchroom in an INTEGRATED school? Kids still tend to group together with people they feel an affinity.

Bosses need to get back to doing what they need to do to get the work done, and leave the "touchy-feely" interpersonal stuff to others..

Companies just need "guidelines" that are spelled out so people know what crossing the line IS, and then just let them do their jobs, and socialize with whomever they choose..

Smokers should NEVER get extra time for breaks.. If a company does this, they are creating a wedge:(

[seabeyond]

11. we started with hating fat people

that is ok. can be as mean and ugly to the fat person without feeling like you are being ugly. then we did the same with the smoker. now smoker is par with criminal, evil, murder..........it has worked so well we have reached out to do the same to those that are liberal, see how bush has manipulated, adn now we have extended out to all, that does not meet our exact agenda in life. if we see a person does not have the same values we are free to tear them apart without conscious. it is silliness manilpulation cult like sheep behavior

so, i refuse to do it to anyone