Looks like my company has jumped on the anti-e-cig bandwagon

[GIMike]

My manager just emailed this to me:

“Use of e-cigarettes in the workplace will be treated as an annoying, disruptive behavior, similar to that of an employee playing music on his/her computer or blowing a whistle or anything else disruptive to the work and productivity of those around him/her. Corrective action for such behavior will follow the general outline for progressive disciplinary action.”

So instead of banning them as tobacco products, they'll classify me as a trouble maker. Awesome. Considering I never vape openly, always stealth vape, and don't use strong smelling liquids. Just another way to keep us down. Looks like it's back outside with the smokers.......

 

[invididual]

just take more "pee" breaks and use the stall

 

[NGIB]

I'm sure glad my boss could care less. I generally go outside to hang out and get away from the computer but when it's busy I can and do vape at my desk...

 

[GIMike]

I'd love to take breaks more often, but we only get 6 minutes of bathroom break per day. In a building as big as this, I'm lucky to make it there and back to my desk in 3 minutes :/

Well, here's another part that wasn't mentioned in that section,

"Greetings, we just wanted pass this along to the managers in case you are encountering the use of E-cigarettes in the workplace. E-cigarettes are not allowed on company property. Though they are not technically tobacco based, below is the guidance we use when dealing with E-cigarettes. If your employees are concerned or disagree with you on the matter of E-cigarettes, refer the team member to HR where they can open a case. Thanks for your cooperation in this matter."

 

[tj99959]

I really don't have much of a problem with that. I don't feel like I'm some sort of special person just because I vape instead of smoke. However I also would just as soon not sit in an ashtray so that I can vape, and wouldn't have any problem telling a boss that.

 

[GIMike]

Forgot to mention that previous part that I edited in my previous post. Since I can't even have it on company property according to their wording, this would include in my possession or in my car, so I'm not even allowed to bring it to work, else I lose my job. Looks like I may have to go back to smoking.

 

[NICnurse]

This kind of crap just makes me mad. My job banned vaping July 1 2011. If caught, you will be in deep doo doo. But we have a smoking area for PATIENTS OF THE HOSPITAL to smoke in......but employees are not allowed to use it. So my inpatient hospital patient can walk or wheelchair over to the tar and smoke pit to puff a marlboro, but I cannot vape anywhere on hospital property. How much sense does THAT make?!?!?!

I just stealth in the bathroom every chance I get. Oh....and that 6 minute potty break rule makes me mad too! Want if you are diabetic and pee a lot?? Or on diuretics for a health condition??

I need to chain vape for a few minutes.......

 

[SpringzVz]

Well all I can say is an employer does have the right to regulate acceptable behavior in the workplace. I like tj dont consider myself special and don't deserve special consideration for vaping. However my employer realizes the advantages of productivity over appearances. As well as employee appreciation and happiness versus dominance and regulation. Hopefully the economy will get better and offer more workers opportunity to find employment where they are better appreciated

The on property thing makes it sound like more of a tobacco regulation vs the workplace activities you previously posted...

 

[Loveridden]

WOW this guy counts your bathroom break minutes too??? I have never had a boss who gave me a time limit for bathroom breaks every day. He sounds like a major d-bag....

 

[GIMike]

The on property thing makes it sound like more of a tobacco regulation vs the workplace activities you previously posted...

Except for tobacco is allowed on property, you just can't use it. People have packs of smokes on their desks all the time.

 

[JAY73]

then i would take it up with hr as stated in your memo you may have to take vape breaks with the smokers but you should not be forced to leave your pv at home either!!!
B.S. like this just rub's my fur the wrong way, i sure hope this works out for you.. good luck & god bless...

 

[kico166]

That more than sucks. So much for health concerns. Sorta makes yah wonder what happened that management took such drastic (draconian) measures from the get go?

Considering it only takes one bad apple you can't help but wonder if they saw someone: playing with it too much? Taking too long to attach a fresh carto? Topping off? That really

I'm really sorry to hear you are 'stuck' at such a company. Sympathy coming your way ...

 

[mwa102464]

Gee I wonder if the CEO drinks alcohol, smokes cigars or cigarettes, or has some kind of a crutch himself, these corporate and Anti's people today crack me up, I would be willing to bet the boss and or CEO is a real Pxxx himself and probably cheats on his wife, smokes, Drinks, Gambles, and takes pharmaceutics of some sort, be willing to bet my house he does one or more of these things himself, just cracks me up.

 

[SazoidX]

My company has a "No Vaping in the Building" policy - and I get that. We have clients in the building that might think that it's someone smoking at their desk, and it may bother other employees (although some people's perfume bothers me, but whatever...)

But we can still go outside, and stealth vaping in the bathroom is always fun (pretty sure my co-workers think I have some sort of major bladder issue...) 6 minutes for bathroom breaks is ridiculous, and banning them entirely from the premises when people can have tobacco products? That's ignorance taking the understandable need to maintain certain legal standards and fairness to a stupid paranoid level...

 

[Jonner]

UUhhh, six-minute bathroom break, are you kidding me? That would concern me, as a lawyer. I once had an employer tell me I was using too many sick days when I was having a dental implant done, I told them, I have the days, I need the procedure done, what is this, high school? They told me one more sick day and I was terminated. I quit on the spot and collected unemployment for 7 or 8 months until law school started in the fall. One of the best summers of my life, like getting paid to have fun.

 

[Bael2212]

That's probably the most Ignorant thing i have ever heard. If the company that i work For tried something like that i feel like there would be a riot, most of the people here smoke but a lot of people also vape I have been known to stealth vape in the bathrooms. But good god a six minute bathroom break? I am by no rights a lawyer but that seems like a violation of human rights to me. You may want to look into contacting a lawyer about that.

 

[ingerri]

I'd love to take breaks more often, but we only get 6 minutes of bathroom break per day. In a building as big as this, I'm lucky to make it there and back to my desk in 3 minutes :/

i dont think by law they can withhold bathroom breaks, thats like saying you can only sneeze 6 times a day

 

[BHam]

I'm curious to know what company this but man does it sound like "Big Brother" is just raining on your parade man. I've heard about companies banning e-cigs and similar to what other people say, its about the image an ecig brings with the vapor and all. But for it to be a fireable offense for you to even bring it to work is a little too much. I don't know why companies just don't ban tobacco on company property. Clients are more likely to get second hand smoke than vape but maybe you can talk to HR and put an insurance spin on it since its tobacco-less? Hope things get better man.

 

[Lewis]

My workplace doesn't allow vaping at the desk or in the actual office, which I kind of understand because it can be distracting for people sitting nearby. And besides, if I am talking on the phone I shouldn't have anything in my mouth anyway. But they are allowing it on breaks in the canteen, which saves me having to stand outside in the rain with the smokers.

To the OP - your place sounds positively draconian.

 

[irwink]

I'd love to take breaks more often, but we only get 6 minutes of bathroom break per day. In a building as big as this, I'm lucky to make it there and back to my desk in 3 minutes :/

You must work for the local office of the nazi party.