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Smokers need not apply for job openings at an IA company

garn

Well-known member
Wow, it really seems like they are pushing the line when it comes to discrimination. What happens if an employee refuses to quit smoking, an activity that is perfectly legal, will they be fired?

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/ar...mark-warns-workers-There-ll-be-no-lighting-up

The insurer will "require applicants to assert that they are tobacco-free in order to be considered for a position," said Rob Schweers, spokesman for Wellmark, which employs approximately 1,600 people in Des Moines and another 200 throughout the rest of the state.

Wellmark is asking existing employees to stop using tobacco by Oct. 1. The new policy also prohibits any smoking during work hours, including scheduled breaks and during lunch.

"Doing this type of thing really does infringe on their employees' ability to live their lives as they choose," said Ben Stone, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa.

"It certainly doesn't have anything to do with second-hand smoke," he said. "It has everything to do with telling people what to do on their own time."

Is Wellmark going to ask potential employees these questions as which are a threat to insurance premiums as well?

*If you're single, do you have unprotected sex with your boy friend/girl friend?
*What's your sexual history and background? (after all, you might be at risk for STD's and AIDS.)
*How much liquor and beer do you consume in a given week?
*How much sugary drinks do you consume in a given week?
*Do you have a perfect driving record?
*How often do you eat fast food?
*How often do you exercise?

It's one thing for a business to ban smoking on their property (which I take an issue with because you're outside and away from non-smokers and i'm a non-smoker), but to tell employees you cann't smoke on your lunch break while in the privacy of your own vehicle running personal erands?

We're just hitting the tip of the ice berg and it's only going to get worse.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Second hand smoke is worse than what happens to the smoker.

Summa Hospitals in Ohio all new hires must not smoke or take up smoking, To do so will result in termination.

Shearers potato chips in Ohio and Texas no smoking on company property.

Smokers and other groups all contribute to their physical demise and drive up insurance costs for one and all.

Anyone who smokes has no right to cause thers to endure there second hand smoke.

Smoking by pregnant mothers can cause birth defects in the unborn.

Awoman doing drugs and prgnant can be charged with a felony. I am all for pregnant drinkers and smokers being charged with child endangerment.
 

Steve

Well-known member
it seems a bit intrusive to me.. but as long as there is a real tight job market employers will tighten up their job requirements..

I would expect more companies to follow suit until the job market improves..
 

hypocritexposer

Well-known member
I think it is more for health insurance reasons and the costs/risk associated with unhealthy lifestyles.

Expect to see more of it in the next few years.
 

per

Well-known member
"Second hand smoke is worse than what happens to the smoker"

Just give that statement some critical thought. The smoker gets all the first hand smoke and is breathing the second hand smoke in the same environment as the non smoker and can't get out of it like the non smoker. Also the smoker is inhaling CO and exhaling CO2 so he gets both. I am not at all saying second hand smoke is anything but terrible but if a smoker and a non smoker are in the same environment for the same time then the effects are worse on the smoker.

Having said all that there is no place for smoking amongst non smokers. They never chose to risk health effects in that way.
 
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