Should smokers get paid less?

Question

Around my work, I have noticed that smokers are out taking a "break" at least once an hour. Everyone is guilty at having some screw-off time at work (internet, personal calls, etc...) but if smokers do that AND take smoke breaks all the time...they actually work less than non-smokers. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

While I don't think that they should be paid less, I do like what some companies have been doing such as letting non-smokers leave at noon on Friday and such. I don't think smokers should be punished, I think non-smokers should be rewarded.

Keep in mind that smokers also increase medical insurance costs for everyone in the company.

Answer 2

I've noticed that too, not at paid work but I'm a theatre major, a lot of the theatre people smoke so when we have like work-calls (once a semester we all have to do like an 8 hour shift helping to build/make sets etc) and the smokers are out smoking quite often, well some of them. It pisses me off. A paid job should regulate these things though, like how many breaks you get/how long they are, maybe, if you haven't already, try talking to the boss and telling them that certain people will go out a lot.

Answer 3

Wow ! I have a thought ! Thanks.

Oh... You want me to tell you? OK, my thought is that you are wasting your time and energy worrying about this. Fretting is not good for your health. At least the smokers go outside to smoke. There are many places where smokers just blow smoke in your face. So, the best choice for you is to relax, save your energy for more important activities and stop letting the injustices of the world pull your strings.

Really. Learn to relax and let the little aggravations of the world slide right off you. You live a longer and healthier life.
;-D Get an air freshener!

Answer 4

I think that the human attention span is so short that you'd find you take the same mental breaks as smokers take smoke breaks. Seriously, keep track of one shift at work, and how much time you legitimately spend really working. I think you'll be surprised. Most work is in spurts, with short breaks in between, perfect for smoking, if you so choose. And for the record, I don't smoke.

Answer 5

I agree. I think smokers should take every penalty possible. I personally don't understand how its not attempted murder if someone knows the second hand smoke kills and smokes in front of you. On a side not anyone that takes excessive breaks deserves a cut in pay.

Answer 6

I think they should get paid a lot more since you are being so judgemental. And they should take away "your" breaks so that smokers can smoke more.

Sounds reasonable. Some people need to be taught to mind their own business.

Answer 7

have you forgot this country's past? America gr east cash crop was tobacco for the longest time. Many jobs in this nation are built around it and if this country stops's producing it it will be a big blow to the finagle structure of the USA. I'm so sorry that it offends most people but most people never look at it in any other way than all the bad points typical attitude from our society. If we don't like it than kill it correct. Do you realize the ramifications of what were to happen if we stop-ed producing tobacco?

Answer 8

I can see where you are coming from but like you said everybody slacks off, and it is probably as much as a smoker goes out ever time. So no I don't think they should get paid less.Just think about how much time you do non work related things so they add up to their time outside smoking?? they might.

Answer 9

hell no If all they will pay me is Minimum wage ya better believe Ill be on a smoke break whenever I can. Pay me more maybe Ill smoke less at work that is if I still had a job

Answer 10

Yes, they should be paid less. They are spending less time on the job producing. They should be docked for the time they are off work. It's only fair.