Refused a job because I smoke....

foxxymynx

ceridwen wrote: »

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?"

I think that most non smokers can tell if someone is a smoker. I certainly can.

SomeBozo

Hang on everyone. Theres a lot of rubbish comments in this thread.

Firstly, to smoke is a personal choice. It is however not illegal to discriminate on the grounds that a employee smokes. Smokers take more time off sick, find it harder to concentrate without their nictoine fix, and frankly, stink!

How do I know? Because I am a smoker!

The other thing to mention is "smoking breaks". No such thing exists in employment law. Smokers and non-smokers are entitled to the same breaks.

I personally would only a employ a smoker for my company if they were an exceptional candidate, and hence only employ them if I could deal with all the crap from non-smokers you get when they nip out for ciggie.

Bozo

starsinmycrown

tomsolomon wrote: »

Yes can you believe it.......
I have just spoken to the inerveiwer on the phone, and I was told that "the company does not employ smokers", and that "You can re-send your CV after you have been smoke free for a month".........
That's descriminatory, what are my rights?

This is absolutely outrageous. it makes my blood boil. I don't drink, i've never done drugs, i have high moral standards and i care about others. i also smoke, and i'm sick of being treated like a third class citizen because of it. if i were you i'd write back saying you are smoke free then when you get the job write back saying actually you're on heroin and you're a high functioning alcoholic, who also takes recreational drugs at the weekend but is that okay?

its no joke- i know of professional people who do pills, coke, speed, even heroin in one case, who arrive at work technically still drunk from the night before, yet at interviews they have the brass neck to ask if you smoke!!

if i were you, i'd find a solicitor. and another company to work for. the one redeeming feature of smoking is that you'll never be an anti-smoker...:)

SomeBozo

if i were you, i'd find a solicitor.

I would also find a lot of money, and some different people to give advice.

Bozo

starsinmycrown

and as for the smoking breaks thing, i have never in any job had one- from wiping tables to wiping general secretary's !!!!!!. in my last job i got 20 minutes a day- same as every other person there. and somebody i sit with in my office said " do you smoke? i didn't realise" i'm often mistaken for a non-smoker at work, because i don't take extra breaks and i don't smoke just before i come in. oh, and i don't have yellow fingers...

starsinmycrown

SomeBozo wrote: »

I would also find a lot of money, and some different people to give advice.

Bozo

no, why? I feel as though he has been discriminated against, because of something that he does in his own time. its like saying, well you put down on your cv you support arsenal, and i support spurs so i don't like that, so you don't get the job. i think what has happened to him is extremely unfair, and i don't see why it has any bearing on his competency. its their loss, if thats their reason for not giving him the job. why not have some sympathy for him, it must be dreadful to be turned down for something because of a pathetic reason like that.

withabix

starsinmycrown wrote: »

no, why? I feel as though he has been discriminated against, because of something that he does in his own time. its like saying, well you put down on your cv you support arsenal, and i support spurs so i don't like that, so you don't get the job. i think what has happened to him is extremely unfair, and i don't see why it has any bearing on his competency. its their loss, if thats their reason for not giving him the job. why not have some sympathy for him, it must be dreadful to be turned down for something because of a pathetic reason like that.

He has been treated legally. What is a Solicitor going to do, other than tell him the same (in exchange for some of his money)? If he wants the job, he can give up smoking. Fair deal.

robster1964

To be honest, we don't employ people who drink alcohol... No matter how much they wash, it seeps through their pours and stinks the office out. Also compared to our office staff that don't drink, they are a not as productive, as they seem slower..........................

withabix

robster1964 wrote: »

Also compared to our office staff that don't drink, they are a not as productive, as they seem slower..........................

That's cos they would spill it if they moved any faster...

Anyway, drinking is the quickest way to the top....have you seen most company Directors :rolleyes:

Conor_3

tomsolomon wrote: »

The job was for a IT support center. I wouldn't even have had direct contact with customers....

But you would with work colleagues and smokers stink of fags.

Smoking is an affliction for most people, and should be classed as a handy cap,

No, smoking is something you chose to do voluntarily. It is a personal choice.