Job Hiring Policies and Nicotine testing

[El Diablo Marrón]

I'm a 42 year old Ex-smoker who is about 6"2 310 pounds.. BUT I get two physicals a year and am told i'm in perfect health.

Even when I smoked, the doctor would say "So.... I can tell you quit" even though I had not.
And thought I was joking when I told them I still smoked.
I don't know if it's due to being a vegetarian or because it was how I was made.

I know my weight is due to cola drinks.I LOVE EM. But I get headaches from diet drinks. So I am big.

But I like being large. It makes me feel safer (harder to kidnap) And while growing up, the women I have been attracted to,where attracted to larger guys. So it worked out for me.

So just because someone is overweight,doesn't always mean they are not healthy.

 

[Kristian]

I doubt it. I know of many people who are over weight and obese who have medical reasons for it. Heck I have a friend who also has the lap band pretty much only can intake soup and is still very heavy. There are too many factors that happen other then someone over weight eat to much.
I gained weight now considered overweight because of a back problem. I use to work out ALL the time 6 days a week and now can't even walk a block with out pain. I eat on a very strict diet and I still can't loose the weight.

The medical reasons for being overweight don't change the fact that, statistically, overweight people cost companies more in health care over all. If people who vape are being lumped in with people who use or abuse tobacco products, I doubt they will care if people have a medical condition for being overweight. It boils down to numbers. They don't give a ..... about you, they just care about the bottom line.

Personally, I have been lucky enough to be successfully self employed. I have no medical insurance, but I might be able to afford my own insurance this year or next. I don't get paid vacation or sick leave. I work or I don't get paid. I do pretty well. I'm in my mid 30's and I support my family. I have a wife and two kids. My wife has not had to work in over 5 years. We are doing just fine. I'm lucky to have what I have, but most people do not have this luxury. They have to go to work for "the man", and are completely capable, but can't because of these insurance companies and lawyers that require these businesses to piss test everyone for everything.

I think if the only way you can get a paycheck to feed yourself or your kids is to submit to a screen, then go ahead and cheat every way you can to pass it.

 

[jacquelyn]

Thats awesome you have a great business. I think for private insurance policy are different then group. I am lucky/screwed because of group coverage. I will never be covered by private insurance. I am considered a high risk. In a group plan, I just know that I pay more as a smoker never had an issue as a vaper

 

[Spartan8029]

I don't think this rule applies to all hospitals, back at the hospital we would take patients to, there was always a group of employees huddled in the small smokers section puffing away, even doctors. I never knew that testing for nicotine was even possible until I applied to the fire department. I don't agree with the ban but when it comes to the fire station, it makes sense.

Encouraging a healthy workplace doesn't seem strange to me and if a business wants to have a smoke free workplace then that is their right, even if I don't agree with the policy. Smoking is a nasty habit and I think encouraging people to quit is the right thing to do but employers shouldn't turn away qualified employees just because they smoke.

 

[erich]

The medical reasons for being overweight don't change the fact that, statistically, overweight people cost companies more in health care over all. If people who vape are being lumped in with people who use or abuse tobacco products, I doubt they will care if people have a medical condition for being overweight. It boils down to numbers. They don't give a ..... about you, they just care about the bottom line.

Your first point completely contradicts your last.

I can understand wanting to hire non-smokers as nurses. Smelling like smoke and working in a hospital is a pretty bad combo. You're working with people who are ill, and to top it off you're not generally allowing your patients who smoke to partake either.

The problem with testing for nicotine is that it includes pretty much all of the smoking cessation products as well. My father chewed the gum for like 5 years after quitting.

 

[Shamruck]

The medical reasons for being overweight don't change the fact that, statistically, overweight people cost companies more in health care over all. If people who vape are being lumped in with people who use or abuse tobacco products, I doubt they will care if people have a medical condition for being overweight. It boils down to numbers. They don't give a ..... about you, they just care about the bottom line.

.....but most people do not have this luxury. They have to go to work for "the man"

Portion 1 totally agree.
Portion 2, the funny thing is, if you hired someone to work for you, they would consider you "the man" lol


Shamruck