do employers look down on you if you smoke on your break?

Question

I just started a job.

I'm a smoker

I get 15 minute break and a lunch each day, and I would love to use these breaks to smoke.

I'm afraid that my manager will look down on me or something... I dont know. what do you do? what would you do/say?

thanks--

OMG!?! SMOKING IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH?? I DID NOT KNOW THAT!!!!
thank you so much!


no, really...

Answer 1

Some jobs do look down on smokers but who really cares what other people think. You cannot judge others as you are not in their shoes - ever. So take your break and go have a smoke. I am sure it calms you down and does increase your productivity. A calm worker is a better worker. If he says something - tell him to mind his own business. If it were against company policy, then you would have been told before you ever took the job. See you out by the ash tray and I am a non-smoker who supports your rights.

Answer 2

It depends on your supervisor/manager. I would say today most would look down on employee who smoke. I am a former smoker and that's my impression.

I remember when I first started working fulltime back in 1989. We could smoke at our desks. Then they restricted it to the cafeteria. Then it got restricted to smoking by an open window. Then it got banned indoors. Then we must smoke 9 metres (27 feet) from the door. Now there are designated areas. Smoking was once comonplace, it's now banished. Most people don't smoke now and you hear a lot more complaining from coworkers about "butt breath" and "smelly clothes". Smoking is very much on the way out.

The biggest factor is just the opinion of the manager. If he/she is a smoker it's obviously OK. If they're a former smoker, probably. If they're a non-smoker, then it's a strike against you even if they don't admit it.

I remember once I had to go to the ER. It wasn't related to smoking but something else. I finally got to see a doctor and got treated and released. I was dying a for a smoke and as soon as I was out the door I light up. I turned and there was the doctor who treated me standing just down the sidewalk. OOPS! I blushed and said, "You didn't see me do this!" To which she laughed, "LOL!! Don't worry! I'm smoking one too!" and held up her hand with a cigarrette in it!! LOL!!

-- Liam

Answer 3

Most good supervisors recognize that smoking is a health hazard not only for the smoker but those around the smoker, too. A good supervisor would know you are more of a liability because you are more liable to take sick time than those who do not smoke. Since you are more liable to get sick, your smoking will have a direct effect on the cost of health insurance for the company. If a situation arrives where the supervisor has to choose between a person who smokes and one who does not, your smoking makes it a matter of cost.

Speaking of cost, if you were to invest half the direct cost to you for smoking, you would be pretty wealthy by the time retirement time comes around.

Answer 4

Hi I smoke in the past I have found this had helped making friends in the workplace but I now work in an office of non-smokers. I smoke on my breaks at work and dislike myself for it. I find it horrible coming back into the office stinking of smoke and spend lots of time washing hands and spraying perfume.
I feel people associate smokers with being slackers. If you can go without having that puff at work I would. Meanwhile I am looking into nicotine replacements

Answer 5

Depends, doe's your boss smoke? Some places of business have written policy's about smoking, have you been given a copy of the employee manual yet?

I am 1 of 2 smokers at a business that employees over 65 people and yes my boss gives me crap about it. But he doe's it because he really cares and knows that I should quit.

Oh, by the way a couple of the people that gave you an answer are wrong. You can be fired for smoking if company policy forbids it. It has happened and was upheld by the courts.

If there is no policy against smoking at your business, then go ahead.

Answer 6

Not if they smoke too....j/k. I know what you mean I smoke too, but I'm trying to quit right now (4 days running no smoke). I think a lot of people do so,I never smoke at work or school, but when I get in the car man o man. I quit for a year once. That is when you really begin to notice the smell. I think that is what offends most people (aside from the people who like to blow it in their faces of course). I've also noticed that when people joke around with you, they are mainly just concerned with your health. I agree with them and tell them so.

Answer 7

I'm sorry, but smoking does smell really bad and when you come back to your desk or work station, you'll smell like smoke. If you deal with customers, they'll smell the smoke too. You can be the nicest person in the world and do a great job but you can't get rid of the cigarette odor and covering it up with mints really doesn't eliminate it.

If you're going to smoke anyway, take a walk rather than smoking right outside the door and then wash your hands and freshen up before returning to work as best you can.

I wouldn't discriminate against a smoker but I'd encourage you to quit and if you can't, then take steps to minimize the smell, return to work promptly and do your best at your work.

If I go out with friends who smoke or to a smoky place, the smell of stale cigarette smoke and nicotine on my clothes and in my hair is so bad I have to shower as soon as I come in the house.

Answer 8

I would stop smoking because #1 it is bad to your health and #2 you need to have a good start at that new job and make your boss look at you as if you are a good or the best employee.

Answer 9

If they are taller than you, then of course they will look down on you.
P.S. Smoking has been found to be good for you. If you smoke a pack a day for 1200 months, you will live to be 100 years old

Answer 10

Yes