Could this be discrimination towards an X smoker?

Question

I work for a multinational corporation that is sending me to Nashville next Tuesday for a seminar. The hotel that I am staying in has very strict smoking policies. (Just to give you the background)

I admit, I use to smoke…but, I have had a cigarette in over 5 weeks 

Well our secretary that made the arrangements took it upon herself to put me in a smoking room. And I quote, "I went ahead and put you in a smoking room. I know that you haven't smoked in a while, but if you decide to start up again we don't want to pay the $250 fee".

So, in addition to ignoring the fact that I no longer smoke, I am basically being told that at 33 years old, I do not have enough self control to not smoke in a room where smoking is prohibited.

They do not put other nonsmokers in smoking rooms. And, quite honestly, I am not sure how I am going to actually make it there without smoking in the company car…I should have asked her that one!

I am about to go to HR about this. As I stated, I DO NOT smoke…I don't care what I USE to do. I find the smell of smoke very offensive (like they say the worst nonsmoker is an X smoker…so true). I find it discriminatory that they don't place ALL employees in a smoking room for any one of them could smoke.

Linda M---

You might want to READ the question...I never said I was going to smoke...never said I wanted to smoke..

Damn there are some people on here that will try and be nasty about anything.

Answer 1

Let's see.. you probably used to take cigarette breaks every hour, spend about 20 minutes on the loading dock (or whatever the designated smoking area is) each time, hang out with another smoking buddy while catching up on the latest office gossip.

Your perception of your company was that they didn't really care or notice - you weren't bothering anyone, right? Well the fact is, they did notice - and luckily you still have your job. Your timesheet probably says you worked a certain number of hours -- but you are not fooling anyone.

You play, you pay...

Get the smoking room, light up, and then blame the company for your lack of self control.

Gotta love addicts...

Answer 2

Although that was amazing insensitive of your secretary. You're blowing this way out of proportion. You're sensitive about it because you just stopped (five weeks is awesome, but in comparison with the 33 years you've already lived is a short amount of time). If anything I would ask for a non-smoking room and make a big deal about it.

See YOU think that the minute you stopped smoking everyone will associate you as a non-smoker. but in reality you're someone who just stopped smoking. You're a recent smoker.

To make a ridiculous example, when someone has a sex change, they instantly want to be known as the opposite gender. But to everyone who's known them for so long they are what they were until they get used to the idea.

Same thing here. To everyone else you're still a smoker even though you don't smoke. So you need to understand that.

AND even though the secretary was incredibly insulting to you, you should be adult enough to shrug it off. I'm sure people have said worse.

EDIT: yo, Lynda M was talking about this: "And, quite honestly, I am not sure how I am going to actually make it there without smoking in the company car…" Don't think she was trying to be mean.

Answer 3

Discriminatory? I think that's taking things a bit far, don't you?

Yeah, this lady is obviuosly a judgmental b***h - but you'll run into these kinds of people in any line of work. I'd say you just politely tell her that you'd prefer a non-smoking room from now on, and that you have more than enough self control to stick to the rules and not smoke in the room should you decide to smoke. You could say something about how being in a room with an ashtray makes you think about lighting up or something like that (probably not true, but she obviously thinks you're a weak willed person).

If that doesn't work... give her the finger and go over her head.

Answer 4

You're wasting your time. 5 weeks of smoke free doesn't count for much. I've known people to start up again within 3 mos. As well, you've admitted you want to smoke right next to swearing you don't smoke. So, do you or don't you?

It is best to pick your battles at work and this one is just not worthy. If you're not paying for the smoking room vs. non smoking then why does it bother you? If the hotel's policies are good, you shouldn't smell the 2nd hand smoke of the other hotel guests on your floor.

As far as putting all non smokers in smoking rooms, now, you're just being paranoid. Most non smokers don't smoke because they know how bad it is health wise and they aren't already addicted to nicotine.

Go, have fun, and let work pay the tab!

P. S. I READ the f'g question and you said you don't know how you're gonna make it there w/o smoking in the company car and you said you were being "honest". Maybe you should read your OWN NASTY question! MIght want to try spelling my name right, too, I know I did.

Answer 5

Discrimination is a strong word. Just chill out and call to change it. It isn't a big deal. They were just making the business decision not to risk the clean up fee, it has nothing to do with discriminating against smokers. It may simply be that you were the only one known as a smoker. Also, when you get there, you can say that the smoking designation was a mix-up. Finally, if you do smoke in the room and the firm is charged, you should pay. Don't make yourself out to be a troublemaker over such a silly thing.

Answer 6

Okay so the woman is a judgmental person, but discrimination? Come on now - that is taking it a bit far.

As they say - choose your battles. Simply request to be assigned to a non-smoking room, or ask at the hotel. Your company is responsible for providing a room, not the room of your choice. If they refuse and the hotel refuses to change you at the desk then you put on your big boy undies and deal with it.

Life isn't all about what we want all the time.

Answer 7

You are right and the "non" smokers will be the ones to have too much wine at dinner and go back to their rooms after bumming a cigarette and smoke it up. I would definetely call this discrimination. And you forgot to thank her for the vote of confidence. I quit a little over 3 mos ago but I wouldn't start back in a damn non-smoking room. It's not like you couldn't go outside to smoke .Everyone is acting like she knows what she's talking about...that you'll be weak or whatever but what about the benefit of the doubt? What about you would not embarass the company and smoke in the non-smoking room? I would bring this to whomever's attention that would humiliate her. Congrats on stopping. She's a jerk!

Answer 8

When you arrive at the hotel, tell them you were mistakenly given a smoking room by your company and politely request a non-smoking room. One time my company ignored my written and verbal request for a non-smoking room because they were just mean, spiteful people. When I got to the hotel, I requested a room change and it was granted.

Answer 9

I had the opposite problem....when I got to the hotel...and found out I was in a non smoking room...I requested a smoking room....they were happy to accomodate...call ahead to find out if you can change your room..most hotels are accomodating.

Answer 10

Seems to be she is just being smart,nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on Earth,as I understand it most medical opinions on the subject don't consider a person a "ex smoker" until they have been off them for over a year. The relapse rate for smokers is higher than most drug addictions,so I don't see it as a problem. Does sound like you will be the classic pain in *** ex smoker if you manage to stay off them though,shouldn't be too much longer before you're walking around looking down your nose at smokers like their dirt on the bottom of your shoe, congrats on that,good work.

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