Are employers required to provide a smoking area?

Well? Let’s say I own a business - the building, parking lot, and all the land they sit on. I have decided that my entire property is to be smoke free. I have employees who smoke. Do I have to provide a place for them to smoke? If I don’t, will I be drowned in lawsuits? What if I make it perfectly clear BEFORE I hire someone and they sign a paper acknowledging that they fully understand the fact?

As a general rule, when posting questions like this, it’s a good idea to indicate where you live, laws about smoking tending to vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

That said, I’d be really surprised if the answer was “yes” anywhere.

It is entirely possible and legal to do so.

My employer (The University of Texas) does not allow smoking on UT-owned property. In buildings that have offices but are not owned by UT, smoking is allowed in designated places. That my facility is a cancer hospital has a lot to do with it, however.

But it’s your land, and you’re free to do with it as you choose.

Robin

Depending on where you live, it may even be perfectly legal to NOT HIRE someone based soley upon the fact that they smoke. (I didn’t say it would be a good idea… just not illegal)

Yep it is. I have two employers that didn’t allow it. They can control their space.

Ironically I used to come to work in shorts and a tank top and my manager told me to stop it.

I pointed out I went to my locker and changed. He pointed out he didn’t want the ladies talking, so as soon as I step foot on the property I had to be properly attired.

I asked the labor board. Darned if he wasn’t right. At least in Illinois.

Also one other thing. The insurance (depending on a lot of things) can charge MORE for high risk patients. (Smokers etc). When I was in Florida they took out $5.00 a month LESS for my insurance as I was exercising and not smoking, than my coworkers. They all smoked.

Damn! Wish I had a plan like that. I wonder if I’d get more since I don’t drink? :slight_smile:

-JOhn.

FTR, I live in Georgia. I was just curious since I find it hilarious to see people standing outside in the middle of January, in the freezing rain and cold, puffing away. I used to think to myself, “Damn, I MUST be missing something.” :smiley:

Most places I have worked insisted the smokers stand outside, preferably away from the entrance, when they wanted to smoke. Many places require that the employees go out back, in the alley, so as not to offend potential customers.

Don’t know the law, but one way to look at it is to consider why smoking should be different from any other hobby that may irritate others?

Do you have to provide a place for drinking?
Nose picking?
Self abuse?
Karaoke?

People can go do it somewhere else if they must.

Futile Gesture, I love it. I’m going to suggest a Karoaoke area when I get to work on Monday.

Markxxx

  1. Talking about what and

  2. Are there pictures?

Markxxx - sounds like you work at a glof club. My old boss used to hate it when we showed up in “revealing” or ratty clothes, dispite the fact that staff had a locker room and we changed into uniforms that were stored and cleaned at the club.