About vaping at work -

[donei]

My boss is thrilled that several people in our office has switched to ecigs. vaping in our office is not taboo, in fact, it's encouraged. The owner of the company even bought a few starter kits to give to employees to get them started. He has also pleged to give every employee a $100.00 bonus if they stop real cigs for 60 days. It's an honor system for sure but so far everyone is being honest about their analog usage, I'm the only one who has completely switched to vaping.

Yesterday, I didn't know that we were to have a customer visiting our office and while I was in my office sitting at my desk, vaping while I worked, they happened to walk by as I was exhaling the perfect vape. The customer saw me and his eyes about popped out of his head. He then asked the owner of the company if he allowed employees to smoke indoors. My boss just laughed and told him I wasn't smoking, that I was "faking". He then tells me to "smoke it again" to show the customer. Customer was very interested and related that he has been a long time smoker and has tried different methods for years and nothing has worked. I told him how long I had been smoking and how that even though the ecig is not intented to help stop smoking, it does have that effect for some people. I also told him how the FDA is trying to ban them and that pretty soon supplies will probably be scarce. I then find out that he's an American living in the UK. He'll be flying home next week and will be buying a kit for himself to try. He also said that if I ever need supplies and can't get them on my own, that he would be happy to help me out.

Originally, the only rule about vaping was to not do it when customers were visiting. That changed yesterday and the boss has now said that we can vape openly even if a customer is here.

 

[malyden]

it's nice to see an employer who is supportive unfortunately I am not allowed to vape inside - i still have to walk outside with the "smokers" and go off company property, we're not allowed to even smoke/vape in our cars in the parking lot

 

[ISAWHIM]

it's nice to see an employer who is supportive unfortunately I am not allowed to vape inside - i still have to walk outside with the "smokers" and go off company property, we're not allowed to even smoke/vape in our cars in the parking lot

By the law, a "Vehicle", is a personal extension of ones home. Employers who do not pay for the employees vehicle, and thus they would actually own that one, can not tell an employee what activities you can do in your vehicle. Even if it is on the property.

Just as they can not tell a customer what they can do in a vehicle. Just as they can not dictate what you can and can't do off the clock, or on an unpaid break. They are paying you to do a job. They are not paying you to breath, but you may freely breath.

They can tell you not to smoke on the property, but you would have to have a "Footing", or a "Seat", directly on the property. Being inside or on your vehicle/home-extension is uncontrollable domain. (They possibly get a large discount for being smoke-free. Discounted taxes, insurance, etc... So they don't want to loose that.)

This protection was created due to gun-laws, and search and seasure... A vehicle is a persons private home property, no matter where the location is. (This is why a cop needs a warrant to search a vehicle, or permission. This is also why you are allowed to carry a gun in your car, on property that does not allow weapons.)

Until they pay you to breathe... you should feel free to sit in/on your vehicle, without fear of reprimand.

The only known exceptions, would be with schools and open-flames, working near volatile liquids or gasses, such as gasoline, oxygen, hydrogen, etc...

(Open flames, not heated elements.)

Cell-phones are usually not allowed in those places, due to the vibration motor possibly throwing sparks in the phone, where fumes may travel into.

 

[Wildsky]

it's nice to see an employer who is supportive unfortunately I am not allowed to vape inside - i still have to walk outside with the "smokers" and go off company property, we're not allowed to even smoke/vape in our cars in the parking lot

8-o That is so way over the top!

 

[donei]

we're not allowed to even smoke/vape in our cars in the parking lot

that is just wrong.

 

[J W in Texas]

ISAWHIM, although you may be technically correct, it doesn't change anything. A person who exercises their rights according to the law you cite will still be just as fired, for a different (made up) reason, when the vape clears. The employee will lose and we all know it. In a very fair world, notice I didn't even go as far as to say perfect, what you say is true. We don't live in that world.

Please don't misunderstand...I would like to live in that world but it doesn't exist. I have to live in reality. Well, maybe someday...

 

[Elphaba]

I am trying to get up the nerve to tell the president of our company about vaping.He has tried to quit for years. I'm not sure if he is smoking or not right now, since no one can smoke indoors and he would not be caught dead in the smoking area outside.

 

[ccure]

I am trying to get up the nerve to tell the president of our company about vaping.He has tried to quit for years. I'm not sure if he is smoking or not right now, since no one can smoke indoors and he would not be caught dead in the smoking area outside.

Even if he has stop smoking, tell him, You are well intentioned to do it. So do not be afraid. You have a great chance that something good come out of it

 

[Stormynights]

I vape at work but not in front of customers. My boss knows that I do it and she doesn't care at all but we can't offend the customers so I hide when they are where they can see me. I can duck in the restroom and vape my head off. If I did this openly she would ban me and I wouldn't blame her. We can't afford to run off customers. When there is no one else in the shop I can do it without hiding.

 

[stevejo]

As the boss at work ( i own my own small business) I have encouraged all of my employees to check out vapeing -- now I just need to find some variant of a no-smoking sign that says 'vapor only' to hang next to the smoking ban sign on the building!

I figure aside from all the health implications of kicking the cancer sticks, I'll get more productivity from my employees as they wont be going out to smoke every few hours!

 

[Elendil]

Just as they can not tell a customer what they can do in a vehicle. Just as they can not dictate what you can and can't do off the clock, or on an unpaid break. They are paying you to do a job. They are not paying you to breath, but you may freely breath.

I know several police officers who can face disciplinary action if they drink to the point where they would exceed the legal intoxication limit while not on duty. Even if they are doing so in the privacy of their home and not operating a vehicle.

So yes, your personal behavior while not on company time can be dictated, to an extent.

 

[tgreaves]

Awesome.. I just sit right at my desk and vape all day long.. I dont miss going outside one bit.. I walked out there not to long ago and it smelled like crap..

 

[Oldnamenomore]

I know several police officers who can face disciplinary action if they drink to the point where they would exceed the legal intoxication limit while not on duty. Even if they are doing so in the privacy of their home and not operating a vehicle.

So yes, your personal behavior while not on company time can be dictated, to an extent.

they must be on call or something.

 

[HeartMyPV]

I use mine undercover, no one smells it, they dont even notice.

 

[davidb]

I am so suprised that the company is that strict on you using your E-Cigarette, even on company property.

As for the comment "Just as they can not tell a customer what they can do in a vehicle. Just as they can not dictate what you can and can't do off the clock, or on an unpaid break. They are paying you to do a job. They are not paying you to breath, but you may freely breath."

Actually, I read an article about 4-5 months ago about how one employee failed their drug test. He tested positive for NICOTINE. As companies are trying to save on health care costs, they are being more strict, and getting away with it.

Just on a side note though, and a little sick humor, there was another article I read about a month back, I honestly forget where(I take this with a large grain of salt) that smokers(tobacco) in the long run cost health insurance companies more money because they tend to live longer and thus need more medical care at an older age.

 

[captntripps]

there is a vapeing sign here you can print out www . tasdad . com /downloads.php

 

[J W in Texas]

davidb

I read that article too and it said "non-smokers" cost more.

 

[AnimeFur]

Right to work states are usually referred to as right to fire, be careful out there.

 

[mamacat]

I guess I am really fortunate - I can smoke analogs (haven't been able to give up the 2 analogs a day, yet) and vape right at my desk all day long. My boss is totally cool with both. He has actually been asking me quite a bit about vaping and I have guided him to this forum.

Originally, he didn't think it would work, so he is dumbfounded that I have actually cut back my analog use to 2 a day and am still a pleasant person to be around. I think he was anticipating a true ....* when I went to e-cigs.

 

[sund79]

By the law, a "Vehicle", is a personal extension of ones home. Employers who do not pay for the employees vehicle, and thus they would actually own that one, can not tell an employee what activities you can do in your vehicle. Even if it is on the property.


They can tell you not to smoke on the property, but you would have to have a "Footing", or a "Seat", directly on the property. Being inside or on your vehicle/home-extension is uncontrollable domain. (They possibly get a large discount for being smoke-free. Discounted taxes, insurance, etc... So they don't want to loose that.)

Hmm. I work for a private company that has an office on a hospital campus.. when the no smoking thing came around, we started smoking in our cars (where the security guy said would could) then, he started telling us we couldnt smoke even in our cars! I tried to look info up on it forever and didnt find anything! This guy's job must be dull, because he actually follows me and my coworker out of the hospital lot (we have to go to the lot across the street, and we usually take breaks after one another so the 2nd one to go outside gets followed)... He drives around, i swear looking for ppl smoking in their cars.. Faced with fines, we just go across the street but its ridiculous.. a cop stopped to "check on what i was doing sitting in the parking lot at night" and i told him about the no smoking even in your car rule and he thought it was stupid too.. ehh.. you tend to see the same cars out for smoke breaks on 3rd shift.. guess were all on the same schedule..