Help me educate my employer please!

[jc112704]

This is longer than I wanted it to be, so thanks for taking the time to read the whole thing and respond...

My employer has no official policy on e-cigs. There was recently a training class for new managers in our district, and one of my co-workers asked if we were allowed to use e-cigs inside the store. The proctor of the class said he wasn't sure, and would make a call. Later in the day, he said that the answer is no.

I don't know for sure if that was an official answer, or just my old boss blowing smoke (vapor?). I do know that in the last 3 years, there hasn't been any communication from our corporate office regarding e-cigs. Also, my district manager has had no answers on this.

I've decided to write an e-mail to our corporate office, and this is where you come in! I need suggestions for a few points to bring up, as well as recommendations of websites (V4L is a given) that I could direct them to for more information.

I honestly don't even know who/what department oversees this sort of issue, but I'm hoping to help them make a good, well-informed decision to allow me to continue to vape at work.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[vocr]

As an employer myself, I would say its best to send this from an outside person. Best if it comes from your union rep or whatever body you have that represents the workers. I wouldn't do it myself, but I do know others in my circle who fire when they think an employee is "rocking the boat".

I see you are in the US, so in answer to your question, for sure reference CASAA | The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association.

 

[KrisBKream]

^ +1

Definitely where I'd go. 100%. Their whole mission is almost the same as what you're trying to do. I'd even go so far as personally contacting them for helpful ideas.

 

[jc112704]

Thanks for the tip, vocr! Unfortunately, I work at a glorified gas station (albeit a very successful one), with no one really designated to look out for the employees. Don't get me wrong, we have great benefits, and more than competitive pay rates, but I don't believe that the owners are still "in touch with" their store level employees. We do have a kick-... anti-retaliation policy though, so I feel confident that my job is safe whatever the outcome.

 

[Mirage Hart]

Well, sorry to tell you, but your first mistake was asking in advance. Haven't you ever heard the saying "its better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission"?? This is soooo true in this case. As for me, when I switched to e-cigs I just started puffing at my desk... anyone who asked (including my boss) I showed them how they worked, and that there was no odor or offensive smell.. and all went well! Now my boss tells her other friends who smoke "you should try those e-cigs.. Mirage sits at her desk all day and vapes and none of us care!!" As far as how to deal with it now that it has become an issue... well, I wish you the best possible outcome!

 

[jc112704]

Mirage, I didn't ask... Another employee (who doesn't even work with me) asked. I've been vaping at work since I started, and no one I work with has a problem with it. The problem lies in the fact that "Big Brother" is always watching via remote security, and now that something has been said, I have to make sure I'm in the clear. We had an indoor smoking room at one point, but when the state made it law that we couldn't, breaking the rules became a terminable offense. I too am a big fan of asking for forgiveness instead of permission. I'm just not willing to put my direct supervisor in the position of having to enforce this "rule" over me. I have a reputation at work for being difficult to manage!

 

[Mirage Hart]

JC... that totally sucks for you! Youyhave my deepest sympathies!

 

[Morandir835]

Jc sir the big problem is now that the fda has said they will classify ecigs as tobacco, the higher ups may sight that to say you're not allowed to vape indoors....

 

[Whistles]

I work for 3M "thats right I make your Scotch Tape" and when my boss asked me what the little ploof of smoke was I just handed him the card V4L sent with the starter kit... he was more then intrigued, so then I explained how they work... ofcourse this turned into a 30 minute conversation with my Boss, Engineer, and myself. Needless to say they are excited to know that I won't be late for breaks anymore and are considering switching over

 

[jc112704]

Jc sir the big problem is now that the fda has said they will classify ecigs as tobacco, the higher ups may sight that to say you're not allowed to vape indoors....

That's why I'm concerned... I'm hoping to get them to treat it like we do food and drink. Fine to use in the store, just out of customer view.

 

[Chesterwiz]

I think in the cases where people work where they interact with customers face to face, they might frown on E-cigs more often then an empolyer where you do not. The negative effect smoking has caused would turn them away from letting you use your PV at work.

An example would be a bank branch. I can see a teller puffing on the PV would be a bad thing. Any position where you interact with customer like that. A waiter/waitress would be another position I dont see the use in front of the customer. (now in the break room would be another story) But right there in front of the customer....

 

[jc112704]

(now in the break room would be another story)

My thoughts exactly! I'm a manager, and spend about 2 1/2 consecutive hours a night in the office, out of customer view. We also have a break room which used to be the "smoke room." If I could stay in the office or breakroom and vape, I'd be more readily available for my employees.

They do allow us to smoke behind the building, but I don't feel like that's a good solution for someone that has completely quit analogs. I don't usually mind going outside, but on particularly hot days, I'd rather have the choice.

Thank you all for the ideas, and keep them coming! I'm planning on preparing a full e-mail on Sunday night, and I'll post it here for all to see before I send it on Monday.

 

[plantlvr]

Good luck to you jc! I'm lucky that I've been able to vape in my breakroom for over a year, and stealth vape among the trees for sale. I work at a 'big box' retailer that absolutly forbids any tobacco use on it's property, though people break that rule all the time (going out to their cars on break).
If I was told I couldn't vape anymore in the breakroom I'd just stealth vape more
Sure wish more people would 'get' vaping more!

 

[jc112704]

As an employee of yours, it has been relayed to me that employee use of personal vaporizers, or e-cigs, within the store is not permitted.

This is a major concern for me for several reasons:

1) I am trying to better myself, and don't need my employer making it any harder than it needs to be.

2) Using it indoors, I could be again readily available while having a "smoke" break, like we used to be when we could still smoke indoors.

3) My improving health means fewer future doctor and hospital visits. This means less time off for me, and lower insurance costs for both myself and the company.

These products have changed my life, and have the potential to change others' lives as well. They are smokeless, odorless, convenient, and satisfying to a former smoker.

I am hoping that you will take this e-mail as an opportunity to learn more about these life-changing products, and make an informed, intelligent decision to allow your dedicated employees to use their PV's within the store (out of customer view of course). Please make use of the included links below to research this topic further.

Electronic cigarette - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
CASAA | The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association
Electronic cigarettes. (tobaccoharmreduction.org)
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com



Is there anything I may have missed, or included that I shouldn't have? Please feel free to suggest changes, as I don't plan to send it until sometime tomorrow.

 

[Mmc]

I am a gm and Hr dr. If I could suggest, after better myself in section 1, I would put a period and delete the rest of the sentence
Section 2, I would delete the " smoke break reference
The rest I like, just better not to sound to argumentative or associate it too much with smoking. Better to emphasize the positive aspects of a pv. Wish whoever 1st started calling it an ecig, would have thought that one out better
Food for thought......

 

[Morandir835]

+1 to what Ms. Mmc said. It was a catch 22 with the name, by calling it an ecig they were able to get smokers to take notice of it and give it a real chance as an alternative to smoking... But by baling it an ecig, you also get the attention of the anti smokers as well.....

 

[plantlvr]

Agree with what Mmc and Morandir suggested. I would put the paragragh that starts with "These products ahve changed my life... before your reasons simply because it's so positive. Maybe include how long you have been tobacco free also?
Just throwing it out there, hope you get good feedback from your employer!

 

[jc112704]

As an employee of yours, it has been relayed to me that employee use of personal vaporizers, or e-cigs, within the store is not permitted. These products have changed my life, and have the potential to change others' lives as well. Thanks to my PV, I have been smoke-free for nearly 6 months. They are smokeless, odorless, convenient, and satisfying to a former smoker.

This is a major concern for me for several reasons:

1) I am trying to better myself.

2) Using it indoors, I could be again readily available when needed.

3) My improving health means fewer future doctor and hospital visits. This means less time off for me, and lower insurance costs for both myself and the company.

I am hoping that you will take this e-mail as an opportunity to learn more about these life-changing products, and make an informed, intelligent decision to allow your dedicated employees to use their PV's within the store (out of customer view of course). Please make use of the included links below to research this topic further.

Electronic cigarette - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
CASAA | The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association
Electronic cigarettes. (tobaccoharmreduction.org)
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com


Thank you all for your help and support! I'll update if/when I hear something back!

 

[Mmc]

Sounds great! Much more positive!

 

[waylonjessi4ever]

God after being layed off from a job i loved ,i would take any paycheck over any cigs or pv .Any office here in cali will never let us use a pv ,break room or not .