Smoking Breaks....How many?

Yorkie1

Do you have flexi time at your work - are you sure that they aren't deducting smoking breaks time from their overall hours worked?

I am pretty sure that's what my smoking colleagues do (though it's not 10 breaks per day!).

princessdon

I smoke and take breaks so this is another perspective. I smoke 2 a day on average at work. Am in 15 mins at least earlier and the last to leave.

I don't take the Pee, would never think I deserve more than my colleagues and make up any time.

10 during work time (time to smoke, leave building and return is at least 15 mins x 10 so 2 hours a day?) is taking the Pee unless they make up the differnence and more.

You have the right to be annoyed!

hcb42

My boss has about 20 breaks a day, and l0zenges in between!!

Mista_C

I would pop out for several cigarettes during the day. I had a couple of people complain until it was pointed out to them that, while they were complaining about the odd 5 minutes I was taking here and there, I'd actually been in a couple of hours early and/or been staying a couple of hours late (unpaid), on request of my manager, to help us get through tough spots.

That said I had an appreciative manager. When I left he told me that he overlooked the odd break because I was "damn good at the job and put in at least 3 times the work everyone else did in the same space of time".

davidlizard

I would say depends what the nature of the job is.

If you are on the tills at Tescos and kept nipping outside for 10 minutes every hour leaving a nice long queue of irate customers then thats not good.

If you are slumped in front of a PC, then 10 minutes away from the screen in the fresh air (!!) every hour might not be a bad thing. Also just because you are outside smoking, you could still be thinking about work or talking about stuff with colleagues so its not necessarily unproductive time.

When I used to smoke, I used to go outside about once an hour. But I, like most people, usually worked a few extra hours each week to get jobs out of the dorr so its swings and roundabouts.

mjbmjb

We used to have a problem with a couple of staff who really took the mickey when it came to fag breaks. Really isn't fair on the non-smokers, or the smokers who don't take liberties. However, when I became line manager, I put a stop to it at the first staff meeting :-) As well as the turning up late for work, and the excessive internet usage........

wrightk

we usually have a cigarette whenever we fancy one really! although we are not in the customer facing sector so it doesnt really apply and due to the nature of the business set lunch breaks or time off the premesis is impossible and we work 2x 12 hour shifts over two days so its usually very relaxed in that respect.

i have worked in retail before though and cigarette breaks are a no no unless your choosing to have one in your break period which everyone gets or your lunch period. i dont really think its acceptable for any boss to allow extra breaks for smokers while non smokers dont

axomoxia

There where three of us who all gave up smoking at about the same time. The difference in productivity before when taking cigarette breaks and after when not was absolutely zip.

I can only conclude that smokers work harder, or smarter to make up for lost time.

Beancounter

There's no flexitime or anything like that, everyone works 8-4.

I think I have to tread a fine line as I am still a couple of weeks away from completing my 3 month probationary period, I did lose my temper somewhat on Friday and am sure that will not have gone un-noticed by my manager.

However, as well as the fag break issue I also returned from the canteen after lunch (12.35) to find my colleague sitting at her desk eating. I went away to do some work in the warehouse and had a customer chasing me 65 minutes later, when I asked why the other one didnt help him he said she was still on her lunch break,70 minutes after she started (we get 30 minutes).

I've never been the best at holding back my emotions and fear I may have went too far on Friday.

However, NO-ONE needs to take a smoke break at 3.50 when you finish work at 4!!!!!!!!

Beancounter

Evilm wrote: »

I'd be very tempted to speak to management about arranging to take paid breaks of the same amount of time during the day too. (but then I've never been the quiet type..)

I don't have anything against smokers personally but if someone is getting an hour or so extra breaks I want mine too thanks!

I did semi jokingly say to my supervisor on Friday that we non smokers should get an extra days holiday per month to compensate