Should workers be forced to clock out to smoke?

[Lil Miss Bump]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11665813

Smokers working at a district council must clock out when they nip outside for a fag. So is it fair that employees who smoke do it in their own time?

They're a familiar sight in British towns and cities, huddled at the foot of office blocks under wisps of smoke.

These are the outsiders, both figuratively and literally, who grab a few minutes away from their desk or the shop floor to have a cigarette.

The number of pavement puffers swelled with the demise of the office smoking room when legislation in Scotland in 2006 and the rest of the UK a year later spelt the end of smoking in enclosed public places.

But should they be paying back the time they spend away from their work?

For hundreds of staff at Breckland Council in Norfolk, that is now the reality. On Monday, the district council began a regime of compulsory clocking in and out for smoking breaks, thereby joining some other employers in the public and private sectors who have done the same.

William Nunn, leader of the council, says the move was not initiated by staff resentful that colleagues kept deserting their desk, but by smokers themselves.

"This all came about when staff contacted our HR team because they were confused about what the policy was on clocking out for smoking breaks. Some of the smokers were concerned because many of them, 54% it turned out, clocked out."

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What does the law say?

"Employers are not obligated to allow employees to have any smoking breaks at all, and they are legally required to prevent employees from smoking in the workplace. Generally, employees working a shift of six hours or more are entitled to a 20-minute unpaid break during their shift. The entitlement is to one break only and you can normally take this away from your workstation. However, there is an exemption to this where there is a requirement for a permanent presence."

Peter Done

Peninsula, an employment law consultancy

All 280 staff were surveyed about it and expressed a desire to formalise the policy so that smokers had to clock out for breaks, in the same way that staff would if they nipped out to Tesco, says Mr Nunn. That doesn't apply to coffee breaks because the kitchens are in the building.

"I would suggest that all staff take breaks. The difference is that smokers are taking additional breaks. Everyone, non-smokers and smokers, goes for a wander or for a coffee and we're not suggesting that they should be clocked. We have a policy around personal internet use - that it should only be in free time - and there are undoubtedly breaches of that, like in any company."

There was no suggestion the previous system was being abused, he says, and there have been no objections from the council's 53 smokers. Indeed, many have said they prefer to clock out so their time out is not frowned upon by resentful non-smoking colleagues.

'Tensions over breaks'

The length and frequency of the smoking breaks his employees take varies, says Mr Nunn. Some say they have a couple a day for 4-5 minutes, but others say they have three or four which could last up to 20 minutes if they have clocked out and had a good chat.

On average, a smoker spends an hour each day on a fag break, according to research published last month by www.onepoll.com, who contacted 2,500 adult smokers in the UK. This was usually made up of four 15-minute breaks a day, or a year over their working life.

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But a previous study in 2003, by employment law firm Croner Consulting, estimated that it was more likely to be three five-minute breaks a day, making about eight working days a year. The Leicestershire firm said it would receive up to 100 calls a week from bosses worried about what to do about it.

One company head who found smoking to be particularly divisive was Robert King, who managed his own security company in Sheffield, which employed between five and 15 people during his five years as the director.

"There was serious tension at one point when one member of staff, a smoker, didn't respect the rights of the non-smokers because as part of a group of employees performing a task, he would go out for fag, which was disruptive to the team."

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“Start Quote

Whether it's outside the office or the pub or restaurant we're all lepers and persona non grata nowâ€Â

End Quote Richard Hancock Smoker

• The solidarity of street smokers

A clocking-on system would have addressed these kind of problems because it makes smokers accountable to themselves, says the 46-year-old former smoker, who believes too many smokers think only about their next cigarette and not the team.

"It's frustrating as a boss because you are virtually powerless. Everyone has a right, if they choose to smoke, but where that right ends is the issue that is contentious within business."

Clocking off is another example of employers making life as difficult as possible for smokers, says Simon Clark, the director of pro-smoking lobby group Forest. It's unfair to penalise these breaks but not others involving coffee or Facebook.

"Many smokers believe having the occasional cigarette allows them to refocus. It's a moment of contemplation that refreshes them when they get back to their desks.

"Everyone gets through the day in different ways. Some take coffee breaks, others go out for a cigarette."

Breaks of any form are absolutely essential, says Cary Cooper, a professor of organisational psychology and health at Lancaster University Especially for British workers, who he says slog the longest hours in the EU, often in front of a computer, but are among the least productive.

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'Smokers have the right idea'

• Smokers are doing the right thing by taking breaks
• People should take breaks every 15-20 minutes while doing intense screen work, because concentration flags
• But some individuals may take advantage and slack off
• It can be distracting if a colleague is disappearing every so often, so it's important non-smokers get up and stretch too
• As long as people maintain a good attitude to work and get the job done, employers shouldn't worry about smoking breaks

Clare Evans, time management expert

"People are working longer and harder than ever before. Quite a lot of people are about to lose their jobs in the public sector and this will impact on the private sector also. Fewer people are going to be doing more work. Given this scenario, breaks are more important than ever before."

Fag breaks give smokers the opportunity to chat and socialise, which can help the business, he says.

"If most of us are going to work and are in front of our machines, tending to e-mails and everything, we're not relating to other people. When we take a break we're talking to colleagues and that's ultimately important for teamwork and meeting people's social needs. Breaks aren't just about getting away from the computer but having contact with colleagues, which I think has an indirect benefit on productivity."

Breaks should be for everybody, he says, and unless the clocking-out policy applies to all kinds of breaks, it merely victimises smokers.

A better solution would be giving all staff a 15-minute break in the morning, another in the afternoon, and an hour for lunch. Any additional breaks, for smoking or whatever, can be on the clock.

"It's all about the T-word. The more you trust people the better. And if people undermine that trust then give them feedback."

so what are your thoughts????

[Sid_Wolf]

I agree, if you want a coffee, you should have to clock out too, it takes just as long to get from your desk, to the kettle, wait for it to boil, then walk back slowly so you dont spill it lol, as it does to quickly light up and smoke a fag.

My boss lets me go out whenever I want, but I only go out when we have no customers, but I work in a chippy lol

[Kells xx]

yeah they should have to clock out

when i worked in a shop i just got my normal breaks!

al the smokers got to go out and have extra10 mins, when i asked to step outside with them to get some air i was refused!!!

why should they get more breaks to slowly kill themselves and yet i cant get a fresh air break

[Saffmonster]

In my place people only go out when they are on scheduled breaks.

If this wasn't the way and they could nip out for a smoke every so often (if and when they wanted), it means than non smokers would end up working longer!

As for the brew thing, we take it in turns getting hot drinks from the free machine for each other.

[renniwano]

IMO yes.. as a non smoker i'd hate to see people getting a break everytime they went out for a fag..

BUT saying that - some places already take the time people smoke from their breaks - so in that sense it fairer..

[Rosemary]

The companies I have worked for all have the same policy. Employees can only smoke on tea breaks (15min in the morning and afternoon) and during their lunch time. There are no exceptions to the rule, and anyone found or reported smoking out of these times faced disciplinary action. There were no complaints that I know of. This is also stated in your letter of appointment, so there is no room for argument.

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

if they are only smoking on their breaks then no i dont think they should, but if they are taking time out which isnt contracted in to smoke then yes they should

[Ron Tao&Sky]

Yes people should have to clock on and off for any unofficial break as it is only fair to other people on the work force.........Ron

[valkyries]

only allowed on our brakes so no prob xxxx

[Arooroomom]

It's unbelievable how much time is wasted where I work for all the smoking breaks people take. There is not one point of the day where all employees are inside and working. And I work in a small corp where there's only maybe 6 of us there at a time, max!

[Sqwidge]

yes they should - we are contracted to work 40hours a week - and if you have a half hour lunch then that is on top of your 40 hours...but those who smoke don't add the 15 mins on everytime...

[husky princess]

Years ago i worked in a estate agents. I was the only nonsmoker there...so i was often left holding the 'fort'. once i was quite relaxed sat back in my chair with my eyes closed...my manager asked me why i wasnt working - i replied with i'm having my 'fag' break. he just smiled and said 'i cant argue with that!!'

but yes i do think smokers should clock out when having a fag...it would be interesting to see how many hours are lost in a year.

What annoys me more is the smell we're subjected too when they return though

[Lil Miss Bump]

the smell absolutely revolts me-esp when it is clinging to everything they touch that you have to share-like water cooler or printer etc.....

put it this way i know a lot of HOs smoke....eg marc and saz and lisa and dave-and not once have i had a problem with them smoking around me, not only that but their houses dont smell of smoke either-nor do their cars.....but we have people in work who will hang their coats up with everyone elses and yours will stink when you come back to it :-(

i found the smoking thing a particular problem when i worked in pubs.....being the only non smoker i got my quick scheduled breaks....they got at least 4-6 more breaks than me....how is that fair???

[lokis_mom]

I think if they are getting extra breaks then yes they need to clock out...I've had jobs where ppl that smoke got extra breaks.

My friends husband is in the coast guard and he took up smoking ONLY because they got like 5 extra breaks a day.

[KERNOWHUSKIES]

YES THEY SHOULD !!

My boss goes out 4 a fag all the time n if i go by the door 4 some fresh air i feel guilty !!!!! The place i work has no windows in the office so its horrible bein locked up in 'the cave' as i call it.

[Andy]

If they can have a 10 minute "crafty fag" every hour. . .

then I should be able to have a "crafty read" every hour. . .

Whether they clock out or not. . . chances are they still go home at the same time. .

they just do less work. Granted by clocking out, they will lose some money. . .but

someone else still has to do the work they don't do in their clocked off fag breaks

[Grumpy Busted]

YES

[meeshsalts]

Yes or banned all together in work time.

[Rosemary]

The idea is not to penalise workers for being smokers, it is a productivity issue, plain and simple. If you start banning people from smoking, you can just as well ban employees from enjoying a cup of coffee or tea, or for just being plain miserable all the time.

[Andy]

or for just being plain miserable all the time.

Oh, god I know a few candidates. . . . yes please. . .

[Marc]

Im gonna say no, and not because I smoke. I'm sayin no because I disagree entirely with clockcards in the workplace. To me they show a dislack of trust in an employee in the workplace. Besides which, what is a manager for? Shouldnt a manager of a department be aware of what their staff are doing? (yes I appreciate not all of the time).

We have far too many peices of rubbish in our society today as it is. Health and Safety, health and hygiene, human rights, european laws and much much more. Whatever happened to common sense?

What I do agree with is that it should be restricted to either a)official breaks, or should be the same for everyone. I smoke like a chimney but I know for definate I spend less time smoking a cig outside than some do making coffee, browsing the internet etc.

Another thing that seems to be completely missed in conversations such as these. If I complete my job and I complete it within the alloted time, where is the issue?

Here's a thought for you all.

(theoretical person A) I smoke because I have a 'problem' with cigs. It causes others an issue because it smells and it takes time out of my day within the workplace and I work filling shelves.

(theoretical person I do not smoke, however I have a problem with food, I am 21 stone and have bad BO. It causes others an issue because it smells and I cannot do my job as quickly as others due to my weight.

Tell the first person not to smoke no problem, but mention anything in the slightest to the second its discrimination. This is only a small thought, however both are a problem and both are more of a problem to themselves than any of the people around them.

I work for a small company with no clockcards in sight btw, and we do not work to a dot time. My official time of work is 9-5:30 and Sarah will tell you Im late picking her up every day without the need for a clockcard. With one I can guarentee I would be out dot on 5:30

[Sqwidge]

i see what you're saying about managers, but the team that sits behind me they all bloody smoke, including the manager, which means they get away with everything - i know they work less hours than i do...but there's nothing you can do!

[KSNS]

smoking is a choice yes they should

I used to work in a place where smokers were allowed smokers breaks as long as they were coverd workwise so all smokers coverd each other and us non smokers were not allowed bloody joke we were only allowed our normal breaks.

If you do some thing by choice like smoke thne you should not be entitle to anything that the non smokers do. Would they pay me to go to pub for beer if i wanted one

[doctor fish]

i see what you're saying about managers, but the team that sits behind me they all bloody smoke, including the manager, which means they get away with everything - i know they work less hours than i do...but there's nothing you can do!

Ahaaaaaaa.aaaa.....aaaaa :D

[doctor fish]

Ahaaaaaaa.aaaa.....aaaaa :D

I, m bloody smoker too... :( But I think that,s quite enouh for me to be sober then to quit smoking:D :D