smoking at work

[Showal]

My boss just took away my two cigarette breaks a day because a non smoking girl complained she didnt get the breaks too. I guess the 4 minutes i am away from work in total smoking cigarettes is worse than the withdrawal symptoms and jitters and headaches in my boss' eyes. I'm not whining, it just seems a little unreasonable. This all considering it's ok for me to be doing this at work instead of actual work. I have problems with anxiety but refuse to take the medications they give me because they make me feel all out of it and i get forgetful. Nicotine was a simple and quick cop out solution to the problem and well, now i'm paying for it because i've gotten myself addicted. Do I tell my boss this problem or do I suck it up and deal with it?

Either way, any suggestions on how to approach this?

I wont take nicotine gum, it tastes gross and it burns my mouth. Most people I know who have done it have just gotten themselves addicted to the gum on top of the cigarettes. And there are health concerns with the patch that I dont feel like dealing with.

[Nakiro]

Refuse to take pee breaks and complain to the boss that the woman gets to use the resteroom more frequently during a week of the month and you're not afforded the same luxury.

[Snapp]

What size company do you work for? I know in my company's employee handbook it states that all full-time employees are entitled to two smoke breaks plus lunch. For the non-smoking employees that whine about it, we tell them they can go sit in the break-area for 10 minutes a day.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Why should a smoker get more breaks than a non-smoker?

I'm curious, because I manage the workforce here and wonder exactly what goes through your mind that makes you think it's ok.

[TheRoseLady]

The only people at my job who smoke when they feel like it are the mgrs. The rest of the folks smoke on their breaks or lunch. I don't smoke anymore, so it never really affects me much. Honestly, I can't imagine that you can get out and smoke in 4 minutes and back. :shrug:

I used the patch, and have never looked back. I know they have an inhaler too - I can't imagine how a patch could be worse on your body than smoking.

[Nakiro]

Originally posted by Suppa Hobbit Mage
Why should a smoker get more breaks than a non-smoker?

I'm curious, because I manage the workforce here and wonder exactly what goes through your mind that makes you think it's ok.

If they're smokers and they don't get their smoke, their productivity decreases.

[Scott]

I'm confused on what you mean by "smoke breaks?" Where I work we give 2 breaks to everyone (for hourly pay anyway) for whatever purpose (plus a lunch of course). Of course people also can take personal breaks as well if they have to use the bathroom or something and some people use it to smoke as well.

I'm wondering what you mean by a smoke break. If your boss allowed you to have 2 extra 5 minute breaks to smoke and not this lady, I'd be a little pissed too if I was her.

[GSTamral]

A smoker does not get more breaks than a non-smoker in almost all companies. Most companies allow for 2 10 minute breaks plus lunch. If you do not use the breaks, that is your own personal choice. In the end, I manage people as well, and as long as the work gets done (everyone is on 70k+ salary anyway under me) I really don't care if they choose to take a third smoke break. There are days when the work is thin, and people take advantage, and there are times when the work is heavy, and people have to stay several additional hours.

It becomes a more pervasive problem if the people working for you are hourly employees, in which time unit measurement is the driving factor. If people are on salary, it is more a function of whether or not the work is getting done. In a skilled salary position, almost all reputable companies afford a certain respect, accorded to allow for workforce efficiency measurement to be done in terms of amount of work done rather than measuring work in hours of labor.

[Showal]

SHM,

Nakiro's kinda right, I've been really jittery for the past two hours. In my job, I have to give out injections to animals and perform a lot of tasks that need a steady hand. I guess I feel like after having a cigarette or at least having had 1 or 2 in a day, I am able to do this better. I can concentrate more clearly when I get breaks and I dont get the headaches. I guess that's the only reason why I feel like I should get these breaks. My company is only 30 people. I do get out and back in 4 minutes because I only do it when I have something to do outside. If i have to pick up a package, bring some shit out to the dumpster, I'll have one, so it doesnt really set us back. Besides, I've always made myself available by keeping my work's nextel on me at all times when i go on the break and I ask people before I go if there's anything they'll need me for in the next 5 minutes. BAH! Fuck writing this, I'll be home soon enough. I'm leaving work now.

[hectomaner]

edited to simplify


people are stupid. they will never fail to fuck things up for you at any given opportunity.



[Edited on 1-17-2005 by hectomaner]

[Showal]

We dont get 2 breaks, just lunch.

She gets a longer lunch than me and the other smoker because she's a superviser. Our work gets done and there has never been a problem with our productivity.

I guess I'm feeling like if my work is going to hound me over 5-10 minutes max a day, then I dont really feel like staying a half hour later and coming in 15 minutes early when they dont pay me for it. I'm still going to do it, but that's kinda where i'm seeing it.

[hectomaner]

p.s. i go out to smoke whenever i want to. i love it. bout to go now

[GSTamral]

I do too. Sometimes there is a lot of work and I end up not going out for a smoke during the day. Some days I don't and I go out 3 or 4 times.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Originally posted by Nakiro

Originally posted by Suppa Hobbit Mage
Why should a smoker get more breaks than a non-smoker?

I'm curious, because I manage the workforce here and wonder exactly what goes through your mind that makes you think it's ok.

If they're smokers and they don't get their smoke, their productivity decreases.

People who are non-productive get fired. Just another argument for not smoking I suppose. Of course, we have very productive smokers here, so I think that's just a cop out. What else ya got?

[GSTamral]

Well, here's a legal one for ya then.

Because smoking is legally considered an addiction by the ADA, for the same reason that you have to allow for a worker with diabetes eat breakfast every morning if they so request, you have to allow reasonable means by which a smoker can smoke. Most companies allow for 2 breaks and lunch. Actually, by law for an 8-9 hour day, they must. How those 2 breaks are used is not the companies business if the worker chooses to smoke.

[GSTamral]

<<
People who are non-productive get fired. Just another argument for not smoking I suppose.
>>>

That's a bit of a stretch. Studies have shown that people who work 2 4 hour stretches actually perform at a lower level than people who work at 4 1 hour and 55 minute stretches is the task is a mental one.

I'd be more apt to bust down on a worker who continually socializes at work and bothers other people than one who chooses to smoke. Then again, the argument changes entirely if you are managing hourly employees.

[TheRoseLady]

Originally posted by GSTamral
In the end, I manage people as well, and as long as the work gets done (everyone is on 70k+ salary anyway under me) I really don't care if they choose to take a third smoke break. There are days when the work is thin, and people take advantage, and there are times when the work is heavy, and people have to stay several additional hours.


Tamral,

What hell does what your employees make have to do with this thread? Normally I would just ignore these sorts of laughable comments .

If my brother who -I can guarantee you has a much more impressive job than you - ever talked to me in terms of how much his employees make I would tell him that he sounds like an ego driven asshole and to check himself.

You really need to do something about your ego, and soon.


Showal - I thought that breaks were mandated by law, I'm not an HR type person -maybe Tsa'ah knows the answer.

[hectomaner]

Originally posted by GSTamral
Well, here's a legal one for ya then.

Because smoking is legally considered an addiction by the ADA, for the same reason that you have to allow for a worker with diabetes eat breakfast every morning if they so request, you have to allow reasonable means by which a smoker can smoke. Most companies allow for 2 breaks and lunch. Actually, by law for an 8-9 hour day, they must. How those 2 breaks are used is not the companies business if the worker chooses to smoke.


so if i was still actively addicted/using heroin, they'd have to allow me breaks to go fix?

[HarmNone]

Check with your state labor board. I don't think your boss can deny you breaks.

[GSTamral]

<<<
Tamral,

What hell does what your employees make have to do with this thread? Normally I would just ignore these sorts of laughable comments .

If my brother who -I can guarantee you has a much more impressive job than you - ever talked to me in terms of how much his employees make I would tell him that he sounds like an ego driven asshole and to check himself.

You really need to do something about your ego, and soon.
>>>

You really do like taking things out of context, don't you?

If you want to continue missing the point, feel free to do so. There are widespread differences in the break and time off structure between salaried employees and hourlies.

These rules also become more flexible and work based as opposed to time as you move to skilled salary positions.

I can garauntee you that many many many many (thousands upon thousands) have much better jobs than myself. That's not the point.

I can for the same reason that you assumed smokers felt that they were "entitled" to breaks, call you a prick.

You go ahead and try to deny full time workers 2 10 minute breaks and lunch, and see how far you get. If your workers take 12 minutes because they have a long walk to get out of the building, just TRY and enforce something against them. We'll see who's side people with jobs higher up than either of us go with.

[GSTamral]

<<
so if i was still actively addicted/using heroin, they'd have to allow me breaks to go fix?
>>>

Considering using heroin is illegal, the company would be well within its rights to fire you for using heroin on the job.

[Eiderfleur]

I believe in the UK you are entitled a 20 minute break for every four hours you work.

I don't smoke but when I used to work at the home office there was this group of old hags that would go for a fag every hour on the hour!! (At least that is how it felt) So I thought fuck it... if they can go for one there is no damn way I'm gonna miss out, working in front of a computer screen you are supposed to have a 5 minute break every hour, just to give your eyes a rest.

I'm sure if you explained to your boss you situation he would realise that it doesn't take long to go have a quick fag and return to work feeling "human" again as opposed to sitting there thinking when you can have your next "hit".

I find it ridiculous that you are deprived of your 8 minutes of break time. I can assure you that some women sometimes take longer than that just to go to the loo and reapply their makeup etc etc.

Also check your union or whatever and see what you are entitled to.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

I'm fairly aware of labor laws, most right to work States don't require paid breaks in a day. But that is besides the point. I'd be curious to read what fair labor laws you are reading that state a company MUST give breaks. I know they are state sensitive as well, so you'd have to know each of the states.

My impression from reading Showals first post was NOT that he doesn't get regularly scheduled breaks, but that he doesn't get the two ADDITIONAL breaks he takes to smoke on.

I could care less what an employee does on their break. But you get two paid and one lunch (unpaid). Outside that time, you should be working, not smoking.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Originally posted by Eiderfleur
I believe in the UK you are entitled a 20 minute break for every four hours you work.

I don't smoke but when I used to work at the home office there was this group of old hags that would go for a fag every hour on the hour!! (At least that is how it felt) So I thought fuck it... if they can go for one there is no damn way I'm gonna miss out, working in front of a computer screen you are supposed to have a 5 minute break every hour, just to give your eyes a rest.

I'm sure if you explained to your boss you situation he would realise that it doesn't take long to go have a quick fag and return to work feeling "human" again as opposed to sitting there thinking when you can have your next "hit".

I find it ridiculous that you are deprived of your 8 minutes of break time. I can assure you that some women sometimes take longer than that just to go to the loo and reapply their makeup etc etc.

Also check your union or whatever and see what you are entitled to.

I guess since I do workforce planning, I have a different view. I don't pay people to smoke. I pay them to work. I schedule breaks and lunches, during which they can smoke three packs for all I care. The work ethic that "it's just 8 minutes" is why we offshore to India. 8 minutes * 8000 employees adds up.

[TheRoseLady]

Originally posted by GSTamral
You really do like taking things out of context, don't you?

If you want to continue missing the point, feel free to do so. There are widespread differences in the break and time off structure between salaried employees and hourlies.

These rules also become more flexible and work based as opposed to time as you move to skilled salary positions.

Which could have been simply accomplished by saying that you manage salaried people or that you manage highly skilled people.



I can for the same reason that you assumed smokers felt that they were "entitled" to breaks, call you a prick.

You go ahead and try to deny full time workers 2 10 minute breaks and lunch, and see how far you get. If your workers take 12 minutes because they have a long walk to get out of the building, just TRY and enforce something against them. We'll see who's side people with jobs higher up than either of us go with.

You need to pull your head out of your ass and reread the thread. I never ONCE said that smokers felt they were entitled to anything. Nor did I say anything about denying breaks. Jesus, if you're going to try and insult me at least get the right person. And I would be a bitch, not a prick.

Here's my post since you aren't capable of keeping track of who has said what:

The only people at my job who smoke when they feel like it are the mgrs. The rest of the folks smoke on their breaks or lunch. I don't smoke anymore, so it never really affects me much. Honestly, I can't imagine that you can get out and smoke in 4 minutes and back.

I used the patch, and have never looked back. I know they have an inhaler too - I can't imagine how a patch could be worse on your body than smoking.

[Edited on 1-17-2005 by TheRoseLady]

[Miss X]

If there is one thing I cannot stand when working in the hospitals, its the nurses/HCA's who wonder out when they feel like it for a fag whilst the rest of us non smokers carry on working. If they are allowed, the rest of us should be allowed random 'leaving the ward to stand outside the door' breaks whenever we feel like it!

[Artha]

its the nurses/HCA's who wonder out when they feel like it for a fag whilst the rest of us non smokers carry on working.

I think you mean: its the nurses/HCA's who wonder out when they feel like it for a [beef wellington] whilst the rest of us non smokers carry on working.

[Eiderfleur]

Originally posted by Suppa Hobbit Mage

Originally posted by Eiderfleur
I believe in the UK you are entitled a 20 minute break for every four hours you work.

I don't smoke but when I used to work at the home office there was this group of old hags that would go for a fag every hour on the hour!! (At least that is how it felt) So I thought fuck it... if they can go for one there is no damn way I'm gonna miss out, working in front of a computer screen you are supposed to have a 5 minute break every hour, just to give your eyes a rest.

I'm sure if you explained to your boss you situation he would realise that it doesn't take long to go have a quick fag and return to work feeling "human" again as opposed to sitting there thinking when you can have your next "hit".

I find it ridiculous that you are deprived of your 8 minutes of break time. I can assure you that some women sometimes take longer than that just to go to the loo and reapply their makeup etc etc.

Also check your union or whatever and see what you are entitled to.

I guess since I do workforce planning, I have a different view. I don't pay people to smoke. I pay them to work. I schedule breaks and lunches, during which they can smoke three packs for all I care. The work ethic that "it's just 8 minutes" is why we offshore to India. 8 minutes * 8000 employees adds up.


Are Americans not entitled two two breaks a day? if he is smoking his fags during said breaks I really don't see the problem........

[Miss X]

Fag = Smoke/cig over here!!!

[Tater Salad]

Could always quit smoking and learn to chew.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

[i]
I guess since I do workforce planning, I have a different view. I don't pay people to smoke. I pay them to work. I schedule breaks and lunches, during which they can smoke three packs for all I care. The work ethic that "it's just 8 minutes" is why we offshore to India. 8 minutes * 8000 employees adds up.



Are Americans not entitled two two breaks a day? if he is smoking his fags during said breaks I really don't see the problem........

Me either.

[Back]

Originally posted by Showal
My boss just took away my two cigarette breaks a day because a non smoking girl complained she didnt get the breaks too. I guess the 4 minutes i am away from work in total smoking cigarettes is worse than the withdrawal symptoms and jitters and headaches in my boss' eyes. I'm not whining, it just seems a little unreasonable. This all considering it's ok for me to be doing this at work instead of actual work. I have problems with anxiety but refuse to take the medications they give me because they make me feel all out of it and i get forgetful. Nicotine was a simple and quick cop out solution to the problem and well, now i'm paying for it because i've gotten myself addicted. Do I tell my boss this problem or do I suck it up and deal with it?

Either way, any suggestions on how to approach this?

I wont take nicotine gum, it tastes gross and it burns my mouth. Most people I know who have done it have just gotten themselves addicted to the gum on top of the cigarettes. And there are health concerns with the patch that I dont feel like dealing with.

Labor laws insure that you get two ten minute breaks plus a half hour lunch in an 8 hour day. Its a law. Your boss should know that. So him telling you you cant have your two ten minute breaks is breaking the law. Unless you are in some special part-time arrangement.

I hate bullshit nitpickers like that bitch you work with. So-n-so this or that yadda yadda crie crie crie. Seriously STFU and mind your own goddamn business.

[Miss X]

I think the point is, in my case for example, if another SN is having 5x5 min fag breaks per shift thats 25mins of time they are not working and I am. We all get the same amount of money from the NHS so we should all be working the same hours on the ward.

Edited because I clearly don't know my 5x table! ;)

[Edited on 17-1-05 by Miss X]

[Latrinsorm]

I don't understand the concept of taking a 10-min break, for jobs that aren't intensely physical. You're just going to have to do that 10 minutes of work later anyway, what's the point? Obviously this is for non-smokers, being addicted to (legal) drugs is a good reason to take a break.

Also, OMG Miss X said a naughty word!!! :ban:

[Fengus]

Many states do have the 5-15 minute break for every 4 hours or whatever, and >6 hours or so requires a meal break, so you'll have to check your state.

If I were you, since you say you come in early and stay late, tell your boss this, if you come in 10 minutes early, no reason why you couldn't take 2 extra 5 minute breaks during the day. Beyond that, find another job, if you're getting your p-p smacked over something so trivial you are no doubt getting reemed in ways you aren't even aware of.








Originally posted by Suppa Hobbit Mage
...I have a different view. I don't pay people to smoke. I pay them to work. I schedule breaks and lunches, during which they can smoke three packs for all I care.


Yeah you do what now? Write up schedules? You pay them to work? You sound like a n00b, if you are any sort of manager at all, it can't be regular humans working for you.






Originally posted by Miss X
...who wonder out when they feel like it...


Wonder out, is this real or your imagination or maybe theirs, or do you mean WANDER? Get an education and then you could be one of those nurses, instead of being envious.

[Mistomeer]

I was fairly certian that the US labor laws required that for an 8 hour shift you were entitled to a 45 minute lunch and two 15 minute breaks per shift.

[Jorddyn]

Originally posted by Latrinsorm
I don't understand the concept of taking a 10-min break, for jobs that aren't intensely physical.

I do. I'm salaried and most days I'd rather take a couple breaks to get up, go chat with the president's secretary, wander to the cafeteria and get tea just to give my mind a break than get my work done and leave 20 minutes earlier.

I am not saying my job is as difficult as those who work physical labor. I'm saying a different kind of fatigue sets in from sitting at a desk and staring at numbers all day, and I'm much more productive after I take a short break.


I was fairly certian that the US labor laws required that for an 8 hour shift you were entitled to a 45 minute lunch and two 15 minute breaks per shift.

I don't know the exact laws, but this can't be correct. Our production employees get an unpaid 30 minute lunch and a paid 20 minute break every day. It may very well be the law in your state, though.

Jorddyn

[Artha]

Wonder out, is this real or your imagination or maybe theirs, or do you mean WANDER? Get an education and then you could be one of those nurses, instead of being envious.

Yeah, because typos make you dumb.

[SpunGirl]

Well. If you both get breaks and you use yours to smoke, and she pees or talks to her friends or whatever, or doesn't use hers at all, then she should STFU. If you're taking additional time away, then you're in the wrong... it doesn't matter if it's four minutes or forty.

The bottom line is really that your addiction is your fault, and it's on your shoulders to manage it. Also, the "don't feel like dealing with patch health concerns" line had me rolling. You're sucking down how much a day and you're all worried about your health?

-K

[SpunGirl]

Originally posted by Miss X
If there is one thing I cannot stand when working in the hospitals, its the nurses/HCA's who wonder out when they feel like it for a fag

This is disgusting. If I were in the hospital and some nurse was hovering over me reeking of cigarette smoke (and some people are really sensitive to it) I'd make a royal fuss.

-K

[Valthissa]

http://www.dol.gov/

in 'right to work states'

there is no requirement that the employer give you any breaks. period.

C/Valth ex-smoker

[Trinitis]

Well, i guess this makes me a "nit picker" then. Because I'm actually getting sick of the smokers at my job (ie everyone but me). Since I work in a gas station, they have exceptions to the state law. Here in WA, the law is in an 8 hour shift, you get two 10 min breaks, and 1 half hour lunch/full hour lunch (depending on the manager choice).

Now, this is amended for gas stations due to the "nature of the job" We are allowed to take these breaks, but because at times you are the only person working, you cannot take them "all at once" (Ie if your the only person there, you cannot break to eat for 30 min and ignore the customers). Smokers are allowed to go outside and smoke when there are no customers, these "build" up over the shift to count as your breaks.

But, I don't smoke. I don't get these "breaks" The rules of the station are : If your not smoking, your working. So, I go in for an 8 hour shift, and I'm working, every moment of that 8 hour shift. I get no breaks, I get no lunch. Nothing. And its starting to get too me a lot.

Nicotine gum isn't that bad once you get used to it. I also used the inhaler thingy, which actually worked, but as always, make sure you never leave it at your house when you go out, or you will go insane.

<3 the inhaler for being pure nicotine

otherwise, look at your work contract. I had 2 15 minute breaks, plus a 30 minute lunch at my last 'corporate' job, and that was enough for me.

finally, if you work in a miserable environment, the least they could do would be afford a few smoke breaks to make the situation a bit more bearable.. i mean, two 15- minute breaks should be split up to allow you 4 smokes..

[Edited on 1-18-2005 by lucene]

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Originally posted by Valthissa
http://www.dol.gov/

in 'right to work states'

there is no requirement that the employer give you any breaks. period.

C/Valth ex-smoker

Thanks Valth, didn't have time to look it up.

I'll get back to my n00b job now.

[Snapp]

Originally posted by Valthissa
http://www.dol.gov/

in 'right to work states'

there is no requirement that the employer give you any breaks. period.

C/Valth ex-smoker

No federal requirement anyway. State is a different story. Most just have requirements about meal breaks though (it's on the same site).

[Showal]

Originally posted by SpunGirl
Well. If you both get breaks and you use yours to smoke, and she pees or talks to her friends or whatever, or doesn't use hers at all, then she should STFU. If you're taking additional time away, then you're in the wrong... it doesn't matter if it's four minutes or forty.

The bottom line is really that your addiction is your fault, and it's on your shoulders to manage it. Also, the "don't feel like dealing with patch health concerns" line had me rolling. You're sucking down how much a day and you're all worried about your health?

-K


Here's my deal with the "health concerns" of the patch. The patch can cause heart attacks while you're on it. Cigarettes can cause heart disease over time. I'd rather have one today and not die on the job than take one and have a heart attack. Have you ever used the patch? The sweating, the rapid heart beat, the nausea? that's PERFECT for someone with anxiety problems. You know what that's like? A panic attack. Yeah that sets me off rolling! Good job SpunGirl!

[Showal]

SHM I think was right. We're not given these breaks so I shouldn't be taken them. I guess though that when I see the people I work with arranging for vacation flights, calling their doctors, calling friends, and doing other things on work time and not on lunch then I dont see the problem. I wouldnt go to my boss about this because hey, it doesnt bother me.

I'm in MA and I just spoke with my mom about her job and she's required to give her workers two 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch break. My work is apparently required to give me these breaks, but doesnt. She says that if i bring it up and keep reminding my boss of things they're doing wrong, they're likely to soon forget why they want to keep me around. I'll probably just go in tomorrow and tell him that I don't think the issue is as big as he's making it out to be but not be too demanding about anything. Truthfully, though, when my coworkers go make coffee for themselves, they're essentially doing what I do. They're taking 5 minute breaks to make their day a little easier.

This is beyond the issue but I really feel like this new boss we have has been on my ass about everything. He has already complained about a few things I do that I'm supposed to do but looks like I'm doing nothing. Like when I walk into work and check my email first thing. This is something we're supposed to do and he's gotten upset with me about doing it. There are a few other things, but I really am starting to feel this issue is a little deeper than just me smoking or checking my work email.

[i] There are a few other things, but I really am starting to feel this issue is a little deeper than just me smoking or checking my work email.

yeah.. get out as soon as you can.. that sounds like a person I wouldn't want to work under..
usually that stuff stems out of jealousy and/or you giving off the vibe that you are doing something you shouldn't be doing.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

If you do quit and don't care about burning bridges... fire up a heater at your desk.

[Showal]

haha yeah i should. I guess is anyone in boston looking for someone with a degree in biopsychology?

[Showal]

Oh yeah, I like two 5 minute cigarette breaks a day.

[Killer Kitten]

My first 7 years at the zoo I worked with a supervisor who used the 'honor system'. He believed, as I did, that the job is the boss.

My job was erratic, to put it mildly. I'd have days where I'd spend all day updating old records and re-nuking surgical packs because I had nothing going on. Then other days I'd get in early, hit the ground running, and finally drive out of the parking lot long after dark had fallen and everybody else in the place had long since gone home. On those days the two breaks and the lunch hour I was supposed to get pretty much flew out the window. I had far more of the busy type days than the non busy ones, but I didn't mind. Days tend to fly by if you're crazy busy all day.

The new supervisor was a minute minder. He'd grumble every time I'd want to leave early or take a personal day, even though I made certain that my area was quiet and caught up before I asked. It got to be irritating when he'd whine about me cutting out fifteen minutes early the day after I stayed to finish some labwork long after his car pulled out of the lot. I finally started writing down every minute I worked on my own time and the next time he whined at me I pulled out the 'cheat sheet' and showed it to him. By then he owed me nearly two weeks of accumulated time.

He STFU after that, but he resorted to lots of other small meannesses that were within his power to do and made my life miserable.

The moral of this long, rambling narration? Even if you're right it's best to pick your battles carefully and not rock the boat over small stuff.

Kimm

[Tsa`ah]

Labor laws are tricky as they vary from state to state. In IL it really depends on the type of employment. Day laborers (agencies), Ag, Nursing, Carnies, Child, so on and so forth.

Generally you are entitled to 1 20 minute paid lunch, or 30 unpaid, in an 8-10 hour workday. This time must be maid available within your first 5.5 hours of work. 20 minutes of break time are to be given at any interval and increment within an 8-12 hour work day.

Outside of that it's all up to the philosophy of the management.

My take is simply do your job and I don't really care what you do, so long as it gets done and you pull your own weight. I can tell you that there are always those that will do as little weight pulling as possible at the expense of others. This is where a manager has to step in and ensure that one is doing their job and not leaving the loose ends for others to pick up.

I have only subscribed to Tamral's outline when in the absence of hourly employees. It's a defeatist and elitist style when mixed. An hourly employee witnessing a salaried employee taking 40 more minutes of break time in the same work day is likely to become dejected and bitter, thus creating a division ... us vs them.

I have, in the past, sent salaried employees home for taking extra breaks. Be it for smoking or shooting the shit. If the hourlies can't do it, don't expect the salaried positions to do it. Call it what you will, but selective enforcement and variable policies between employees is a contributor to turn over, and turn over isn't good when your better employees are walking out the door.

More specifically regarding smoking. If you filled out an application, there is almost always a section that asks about restrictions and conditions pertaining to the job. Is there anything that may prevent you from doing this job. Did you state that you were a smoker or nicotine addict? If not, tough shit. By leaving that blank, you sealed the deal by saying there was nothing physically preventing you from fulfilling you job duties.

An addiction does not have to be catered to by any job. The facilities and property can easily be dubbed a smoke free environment and you would have as much of a legal leg to stand on as an alcoholic or a person addicted to a prescribed medicine, as all are able to be attained legally.

Now I don't agree with someone complaining about another person getting away with something as trivial as 8 minutes, but then again, that's 8 minutes you did nothing for pay while others did something for pay. Were I you, I would smoke at my designated break times and deal with the stretch of time in between.

[Miss X]

Originally posted by FengusWonder out, is this real or your imagination or maybe theirs, or do you mean WANDER? Get an education and then you could be one of those nurses, instead of being envious.

....

Oh EXCUSE me for that small insignificant error. It is clearly indicative of my current educational status. Would you like the email address of the dean of the Grad school I attend? Perhaps you could advise him to remove me from the Masters scheme.....