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A heated topic...Tobacco Free Campus?

COULOW

Shared on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 19:15

I won't bring up the ganja debate.  I don't smoke the medically legal herb from California, but I do believe it should be legalized.  But enough on THAT hot topic!

I do however, smoke tobacco.

Need not the limitless indictions of how harmful it is, I understand.  This is my opinion of the right to smoke tobacco.

The hospital is a tobacco free campus.  Employees and visitors must leave the parking lots to smoke a cigarette.  Which, I've been like the masses of future lung diseased, on the outskirts of the parking lot (basically sitting on the curb, out of sight, in front of cars).  2 years of wonderful employment at said facility.  Joy.

Today, the glorious MRI/CT supervisor pulled me aside.  I can not take any smoke breaks with the exception of lunch (if I get one) which is 30 minutes and must clock out for the period.  If no lunch is allowed, I may clock out and leave at 3pm when the evening shift comes in.  That or direct quote, quit smoking.

I will need to check my timecard tomorrow to see if I am docked my half hour of pay, equaling 7.5 hrs worked.  Our shifts are 8.5 hours to account for lunches, so...just have tah see!

 

I don't where I stand on this subject.  Honestly.  It is an adult's legal right to smoke.  Is it healthy?  Of course fucking not.  It's legal however.

 

Hrm.  Just thinking out loud.

COULOW. out.

Comments

Caduceus's picture
Submitted by Caduceus on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 19:26
So, it is okay if I take a few 15 minute breaks on the clock to go away if I don't smoke?
COULOW's picture
Submitted by COULOW on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 19:27
As long as you don't go outside. And um...we are only allowed lunch as a break.
crackcane's picture
Submitted by crackcane on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 19:33
MAN THAT SUCKS FUCKEM MOVE TO CALI
J-Cat's picture
Submitted by J-Cat on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 19:35
hmmm... breaks are breaks are breaks... if you get penalized for smoking, you should get penalized for... going for a walk or whatever. weird. Really weird.
lostsupper's picture
Submitted by lostsupper on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 20:07
It's legal to smoke, just like it's legal to stare at the sun. The issue here is lost productivity, short and long-term.
h8z_u_all's picture
Submitted by h8z_u_all on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 20:36
i see both sides, and where I used to smoke I found that I would set goals of things to get done before I would go smoke. (i work in a flat rate environment). That left me losing little productivity due to taking a break.
bunsen27's picture
Submitted by bunsen27 on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 20:41
You might want to check your state labor laws. Most states have something about two 15 minute paid breaks during a 7.5 hour shift. What is ironic to me is when I used to work food service in college the ONLY way I could get a break off the line was to go smoke. :)
TheDastard's picture
Submitted by TheDastard on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 20:43
Smoking is legal. But it is not a "right". There us a difference. For example, playing Xbox is legal. Should your employer give you breaks during the day to go play Halo?
TheDastard's picture
Submitted by TheDastard on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 20:50
Of course, that said, what you do on a break should be your business. Problem is smoking affects other people. The smell on people's clothes drives me nutz, and I used to smoke (and still love a good stanky cigar).
VenomRudman's picture
Submitted by VenomRudman on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 20:54
Fuck smokers and their "smoke breaks". I like to read but you don't see me whining because I don't get an extra break every hour to do so......
hilskie's picture
Submitted by hilskie on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 20:56
That sucks...you might want to find out what the state law requires...just because you can't smoke on campus, and they aren't "Smoke Breaks" doesn't mean you don't get breaks... In WA you get 2 - 15 minute breaks, and 30mins for lunch. State law requires. :)
meemoos's picture
Submitted by meemoos on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 21:24
The problem being..you are leaving the campus for a smoke--that is the problem. YOU are legally intitled to (2) 10 min. breaks ON campus (that would be my guess). Take that little "advice" from the sup. to HR and see what they say. gdfuCkin non-smokers!
meemoos's picture
Submitted by meemoos on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 21:26
ohhh, one more thought...if you can't leave for a smoke break...then NO one else should be able to in that hospital. Fair is fair!!! HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR
crackcane's picture
Submitted by crackcane on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 23:12
FUCKEM KILL EM ALL
Spartacus's picture
Submitted by Spartacus on Wed, 04/29/2009 - 07:54
I'll admit, I don't get smoking. Bad breath, soiled clothes, and a nagging addiction. Used to do the herbal stuff many moons ago, but always with a purpose. Also salaried, so I'm not up with how the law stacks up to breaks, etc. Clearly they're trying to force an incentive on you to quit. I would guess that's partially motivated by the fact that you work in a healthcare situation and they're even more against it for that reason. I could stretch and say it's because (long term) you're going to cost them money due to the health implications that are linked to smoking, but again, that's a stretch. Considering you're ranting twice in a handful of weeks over how you're treated at this particular employer, it might be time to look for something else.
COULOW's picture
Submitted by COULOW on Wed, 04/29/2009 - 09:29
I appreciate all the comments. This blog is my look back. I've been searching for another job for 1 year, 4 months now. There's nothing in Arizona. Really nothing. Unless I want to leave healthcare and take a 120% paycut. I know I'm ranting about my job many times over the past several weeks. I decided to actually blog about what has been happening to me. There's actually been alot more crap that has gone down over 2 years. I chose this employer in 07 because it was the ONLY full time job in Phoenix. I moved here to be closer to my family. I just tell my parents, I suffer 40 hrs, but I'm only 10 mins from them. Instead of back in Rhode Island/MA with a fabulous job and a plane flight away! I should quit my bitchin, however this is my blog and it's very therapeutic for me. I have felt better since jotting down my thoughts. Not only is my family here in Phoenix, but I met and am going to marry the man of my dreams, an AZ native. Looks like I"m here to suffer 40 hrs for a wee bit more time until another facility opens up. Just what I've come to live with. I appreciate everyone's feedback. It's not asked for, nor expected. Thanks. Blogging is my stress reducer.
LadyisRed's picture
Submitted by LadyisRed on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 11:44
Im SO not a smoker, and if you are standing right next to a public entrance smoking I can guarantee a nice case of stink eye from me. If you are smoking in a car with kids in it with the windows up, I will probably call CPS on you, BUT if you are responsible about it and dont impose it on others- I couldnt care less if you smoked 8 packs a day. With that said, I still think you should be able to smoke if you wish. You legally should get breaks. They cant take them away just because you are going to smoke on them. What does the official handbook for your employers say? Does it specifically say "no leaving campus on breaks" or is this something that a douche bag "superior" has thought up. If the hospitals official policy is no leaving campus (and no smoking on campus) then you're kinda screwed. If it doesnt- then fight it and get friendly with someone in HR.
LadyisRed's picture
Submitted by LadyisRed on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 11:46
and a random side note. I know more people who smoke who work in the medical field then any other profession. I always thought that was ironic.

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