Refused a job because I smoke....

withabix

It is a Condition of Employment with quite a lot of companies that you do not smoke in company time as well.

If you've started in a new job in the last few years, check your Contract. You may well be affected by this.

Happy_Girl_2

I#m a smoker but when going for job interviews, I don't smoke on the day of the interview so they would be unlikely to know I smoked

However, I also don't take smoking breaks when at work. I only smoke in my time, not theirs.

It is a choice to smoke. you can stop if you want to!

foxxymynx

tomsolomon wrote: »

Smoking is an affliction for most people, and should be classed as a handy cap, I do not appreciate being treated like a third class citizen.

You choose to smoke. It is soley your choice. It isn't forced upon you, you don't become a smoker by some freak accident, the only reason that you smoke is because you want to. I understand that nicotine is addictive, but there is a huge amount of help available if you want to quit. A disability or a handycap is not a choice, you can't decide one day to "quit being disabled" like smoking! I find your comment repulsively offensive.

You said that you don't appriciate being treat like a third class citizen - tell me, why should colleagues cover for your fag breaks and happily accept the smell of stale smoke on your clothes and in your hair, which is nausiating to non smokers?

Don't be so pathetic as to say that smoking is a disability - I sincerely hope that you remain so ignorant and arrogant and never have to cope with a disability. :mad:

picnic

ask yourself which is more important... your next smoke or a new job???

I know which I would choose... and yes I am the worst kind, im a reformed smoker. Had no trouble quiting... was easy... I just dont light them..... hard to smoke a ciggie thats not lit....

DCFC79

picnic wrote: »

ask yourself which is more important... your next smoke or a new job???

I know which I would choose... and yes I am the worst kind, im a reformed smoker. Had no trouble quiting... was easy... I just dont light them..... hard to smoke a ciggie thats not lit....

I was trying word something similar but couldn't, when your asked next time if you smoke reply no and only smoke when your at home,

kitschkitty

Surely if you really want or need a job you should make sure that you go to interview not having smoked that day (your clothes will smell to a non smoker, never mind your breath) and then they won't know.

If asked about smoking at interview you need not say you are a smoker, if you are able to go from getting up in the morning through to the end of the day without a fag! If you need one before work or at lunch time you might want to reconsider.

I don't think that once employed you can be fired for being a smoker however I do believe it can cause issues if smelling of smoke or breaks etc are brought up (or anything else is picked upon for that matter).

Sssssss

lynzpower wrote: »

This isnt true! I smoke and can go days without smoking if I needed to/wanted to!

I do think this is unacceptable, in future just lie and say you dont smoke. I would. What difference does it make to them what youdo after hours, its legal, and you are entitled to do it in your own home if you like!

not the best of ideas to lie at an interview, plus I can smell a smoker a mile off.

ceridwen

I think it is the smoking breaks that your potential employer is concerned about. A lot of other firms will also be concerned - for the same reason. I guess they might also be aware too of the statistics indicating that smokers are more likely to have ill health (ie take sick leave) than non-smokers.

You could turn this on its head and think - "Well - I've known I should give up smoking for some time - now I've been given a really good incentive to do so" and on from that "Well - they've done me a favour in fact....I'm going to save so much money and it will help my health" - think laterally - do you seriously want to exercise a "right" that results in literally lighting up and burning money and putting your health at risk?

lilac_lady

Maybe the company has has previous problems with staff who smoked and took advantage by having extra breaks. I wouldn't say I didn't smoke if I did because non-smokers can smell the tiniest whiff of tobacco. If you think you can go all day without a cigarette when working, you're halfway to quitting. If not, you have to accept that some people won't tolerate it.

ceridwen

Sssssss wrote: »

not the best of ideas to lie at an interview, plus I can smell a smoker a mile off.

Have to agree - so can I. I can also spot the slightly yellowed fingertips. Its not possible to overlook the fact that someone is a smoker and I would also think "If they are lying about this - then what else will they lie about?" After all - if I can spot a drugtaker (which I can) - then cigarette smoking is "Easy Street" to spot.