Cigarette Breaks

[Waxman]

What is your company policy regarding cigarette breaks?

This stinky habit really bugs me. The employees smell like an ashtray after the ciggy break. They blow out the last hit right before they walk back into the shop and the smell is terrible. I'm afraid of alienating non-smoking customers.

Seems the busier we are, the more smokes they need throughout the day! Amp up the stress and the same thing applies; more cigs.

The other aspect of this is non-productive time during the butt break.

I have voiced my opinion but this addiction is powerful and I'm at wits end.

 

[guitarandy]

I believe that smoking should be done at scheduled break times only if allowed at all. I used to work on a paint line in a factory, the smokers would go out to the break area and sit down and smoke every hour while I could only leave the line at the 10:00 and 2:00 scheduled breaks. Just didn't seem right that they were actually rewarded for their addiction.
If I were in your shoes, I would advertise heavily for help wanted and let the applicants know that they can not smoke anywhere on your property, this will weed out the smokers, after you have several candidates in line make it company policy that employees can not smoke on your property and cannot leave your property from the time they clock in in the morning till lunch hour (if you have one) and then till quiting time. Non smoking employees' productivity will more than pay for the advertising cost.
The smoking ban can be for the health and well being of your customers and employees. Of course you can still allow customers to smoke in designated areas if you want.

Thats what I would do.

 

[Dean Taylor]

Remember, you are the boss. You have to take control of this problem one way or another or it won't change.

1. Implement a no-smoking policy OR

2. Have strict rules for them to follow if or when they do smoke OR

3. No Smoking on your property, they can go next door or across the street. OR

4. Your Fired (As the Trump-ster would say)

There's only one person who can take charge of the situation- The Boss

 

[Randy]

We have a very strict employee NO SMOKING policy. It has to do with health issues. Smokers tend to be sick more than non-smokers. Smoke one cigarette on the property and you?re gone, period. We also have a policy against visible tattoos and piercings. It's the same as the smoking policy. I expect our empolyees to be on time, neat in appearance , clean, hair cut and ready to go to work.

 

[ted mcmeekin]

Run an ad for non smoking detailers--although be prepared for a low response. It bothers me also and I quit smoking 30 years ago. On the other hand--employees more and more get frustrated with everyone trying to run their lives.

We installed smoke room with slightly negative pressure and all exhaust filtered and discharged high with high dilution rate. Pricey but you might get them to pitch in on design and construction for a lo cost solution. They will feel better better as part of the solution rather than criticized for their habit.

Most health plans for large companies cover smoking cessation expenses. Maybe local program where they pay for the program and you spring for half the needed time off.

A near by small town sheriff just offered all deputies time off and health club costs with suitable progress on weight. One deputy who lost the election to this sheriff has lost over a hundred pounds. WIN WIN!! is always best answer.

Ted

 

[jfmoran]

I feel your pain Waxman. 5 of my current 10 man crew smoke. A couple are not an issue as they smoke every couple of hours and do it quickly, others are out once an hour if not more and take their time. For me I will not police it, I don't have the time or patience. All of my guys up until a week ago were paid hourly. As of this week they are all on a Flat Rate system. Those who don't smoke have more productive time and will make more money, those who do smoke will finally get a clue about how much time they waste in a day when it starts hitting them in the wallet, they'll either continue to waste time (without me paying them now) or they'll get a clue. Been in this business 20+ years and have thankfully never picked up this disgusting habit, although I do have to admit I do enjoy a good cigar once or twice a year!

 

[DavidM]

As a full serve wash and detail shop we decided that it was not appropriate for our employees to smell like smoke while cleaning cars. Our policy does not require employees to be non smokers but it does require that they can work without breaks other than lunch break. If they choose to smoke on their lunch break it cannot be done in the break room or in view of the customers.

 

[Red Baron]

Most of my brothers smoke and they know I don't. It irritates me when they take one more big drag before they get in my pickup and then it takes a week for the smell to leave. So, if your employees are inside your customers' cars, I'd be careful about letting them in a customer's car.

One of the first lessons my dad taught us in business 30 years ago was: If our customer is a smoker, you won't offend him by not smoking around him, but if he's a nonsmoker you might offend him by smoking in his presense.

 

[rph9168]

You probably need to establish and enforce a no smoking policy. I have seen many customers complain that someone was in the car that had smoked. It will be up to your employees to decide if they can handle it or not. You may be surprised that some might value their job over smoking. If not at least you won't have to act like the "smoking police" if it is simply not permitted.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

I would first start paying your employess on a car per car basis, not hourly.
Start a new policy.
Then tell your employees that you are changing the way a customer books an appointment and why. Because customers do want to pick up a newly detailed car that smells like smoke on the inside.
When the customer books your services you ask them if they are a smoker or non-smoker.
If they are non-smokers you give your non-smoking employees the car to detail.
If they are smokers you give your smoker employees the car.
I would think that most customers would prefer a non-smoking employee before a smoking employee.
I bet your smoking employees would start looking for a new job shortly.

 

[MEP001]

Have you considered helping cover their expenses for a "atop smoking" program, or reward them for quitting? It would make for no bad feelings between you and your smoking employees (although the non-smokers might want something too).

 

[MikeV]

I have smoked for over 40 years and now I think its time to quit...finally. It is a nasty smelly habit and one of the hardest things to quit. I have tried the patch, the pills, hypnotism..all to no avail. I recently heard about a program offered by M.D.Anderson cancer center here in Houston and enrolled in the program. It takes about 8 months total and includes drugs, counseling, extensive testing and on and on. I did the preliminary testing a couple of weeks ago and will begin the program next week. The kicker is that they are going to pay me to take part in this program. Wish me luck.

 

[Waxman]

I'm not planning to get rid of any employees over this. I just want to create the best customer (and boss) experience possible.

I have notified the employees that a new non-smoking policy is being developed.

I don't ever worry about productivity because I manage the detail shop and carwash myself and also work in the shop myself, so the employees are quite productive as it is.

Thanks for all the input on this; I am working on the policy. Is it legal to mandate teeth brushing and hand/face washing after any cigarette smoking (on a lunch break off premises, for example)? This would help and may be a decent compromise.

 

[Red Baron]

I'm not planning to get rid of any employees over this. I just want to create the best customer (and boss) experience possible.

I have notified the employees that a new non-smoking policy is being developed.

I don't ever worry about productivity because I manage the detail shop and carwash myself and also work in the shop myself, so the employees are quite productive as it is.

Thanks for all the input on this; I am working on the policy. Is it legal to mandate teeth brushing and hand/face washing after any cigarette smoking (on a lunch break off premises, for example)? This would help and may be a decent compromise.

Supply your employees free spearmint gum and tell them the only stipulation is they need to chew some after smoking.

 

[Whale of a Wash]

Rodney dangerfield said : My wife and I ,agreed to smoke only after sex. I'm on the same pack since the 70's and my wife is up to 3 packs a day.

I have only one employee thats a smoker, but i have a much better day if i focus on the results and not the means. Example:

I used to have two retired guard employees one was the commander or whatever you call it. He would give the other guy a days worth of work and orders, and then with nothing to do , the boss would head out to golf, He said the one time he found the other guy one hole ahead of him on the course. He said I was so mad i could spit blood. When we got back to the base - there was the other guy getting his work done and perfectly, and would get it all done. The guy would skip lunch to get everything done, so he said results are what matters