Vaping Policy in the Workplace - Input needed

[Pheisty]

So I'm a Human Resources Manager. Before you all start throwing e-tomatoes at me, let me say that I'm a fun, nice, and respectful HR person. Okay, now that we have that out of the way...

Right now I'm working with a vendor to see if they'll give our employees a discount on starter kits. But before I roll that out, I was wondering what other manager's perspectives are on workplace policies regarding PV use. Obviously, the production employees can't use them on the production floor. It would most likely be a major distraction. However, I would like to eventually designate the break rooms as PV-friendly.

Secondly, I must note that we have a tobacco-free property policy. Granted, I realize that PV's aren't 'tobacco', but I'm sure it's going to take some education to make people understand this.

I've used my PV in my boss's office (who isn't a smoker...never was) to show it to him, and he thought it was great, so obviously he understands that this isn't a 'tobacco cigarette'. Plus, he's an engineer, so he thought it was pretty cool. I think he'd be supportive.

So, I'd really like feedback from fellow managers as to how you would (or are) dealing with workplace vaping. Any input is greatly appreciated, even if you aren't a manager but work for a company who allows the use of PV's in your workplace.

Thanks!

 

[grantemsley]

I'm not a manager, but I can give you my perspective as an employee. I work at a small company, and the majority of us are smokers. We have all tried to quit multiple times and failed every time.

I got my PV 2 weeks ago, showed it to my boss, and he ordered one for himself on the spot. I can vape at my desk, even in front of customers to some degree (if it bothers the customers, I stop, but so far nobody has expressed anything but interest in them). I get more done, because I'm not constantly watching the clock waiting for my next smoke break.

There are a few advantages to using them in the workplace. I've worked at a few places that had total bans on cigarettes - you can't have them on the property. And you are not allowed to leave the property during breaks. I didn't last long there. I ended up wearing nic patches just to make it through a shift. And it let to me not being as productive as I could have been - hands shaking, snapping at people, etc. If I had had a PV there I probably would have been a much friendlier person to my coworkers, and gotten more done.

Second is that healthy employees are good employees - cheaper to insure, less sick days, etc. Oh, and they will probably live longer too. So less cost for training new people

I don't know what you produce, but I'd keep them away from the products for the same reason most places don't let you have a bottle of pop on the floor - you can spill it or contaminate products. But in the break room, I'd encourage it. Pretty much every non smoker I've been near while vaping hasn't had a problem with it, once I explained what it was.

 

[Hygroscopic]

[Redacted and sent via PM with reason as to why.]

Keep the peace. If you have any strong anti-smokers and two break rooms, designate one as a vape friendly room and the other as vaping restricted.

 

[VicTweezy]

Here is one of the "rules" they try to lay down on me. The USAF policy letter very clearly outlines a "tobacco Product" that "looks like" a regular death stick. Therefor my PV isn't covered under there guild lines.

I used to Vape it everywhere, right before role call, in the break area, in the truck, in the hanger. Some one decided that my post Breakfast Burrito vape in the break room was unacceptable, and I was called into the office, and handed the new policy letter (the one that mentioned above). After I finished reading it I was asked if I had any questions. I responded with a solid "No Sir".

I think sometimes it's better just to try to keep things on the "D-Low" at work just to keep everyone happy.

If I see an Airman Vaping am I going to call him out? I'm not going to answer that

 

[RedDeath5]

i run a kitchen. i'd much rather have my minions vaping while they work as opposed to ducking outside every hour to catch a puff or two. my boss totally agrees with me, and he's never even been a smoker.

 

[Willriker]

Hehehe even as a soux chef ive been talked to for sneaking out fromtime to time for a cig. In my very early days we would actually smoke in the kitchen. It was very bad, and while going out side is an imprvement, vaping would be an improvement beyond that.

Some people just get really ...... when they start to want another nicotine hit... but cant because you are in a rush. With PV's you can whip it out for 1-2 drags n put it right back away.

 

[RedDeath5]

exactly. especially for the first two hours in the morning when i'm in the kitchen by myself (we're a 24 hour restarant) and i can't find time to go out back...well, let's just say i suffer from PTSD brought on by combat, so i'm already quick tempered by default, so combine that with a nic fit, and things start getting thrown...

 

[Kevin Freeheart]

Are employees allowed to drink coffee on the job? If so, the company allows recreational use of an addictive and legal drug.

Are employees allowed to wear nicotine patches or chew nicotine gum? If so, employees are already allowed to take in nicotine as part of a smoking cessation plan.

Are employees allowed to chew on their own pens? If so, you already have a company policy allowing non-distruptive oral fixations.

With that in mind, why would vaping be any different?

Vaping is NOT smoking. Vaping is legal.

 

[RedDeath5]

due to the stigma of un-educated people seeing "smoke" being exhaled, many people frown upon it. i've had a couple of servers express disgust over it until i explained to them that it's vapor and it dissipates rather quickly without leaving a foul odor. in fact, if i have any cinnamon, they like when i vape around them.

 

[VicTweezy]

Are employees allowed to drink coffee on the job? If so, the company allows recreational use of an addictive and legal drug.

Are employees allowed to wear nicotine patches or chew nicotine gum? If so, employees are already allowed to take in nicotine as part of a smoking cessation plan.

Are employees allowed to chew on their own pens? If so, you already have a company policy allowing non-distruptive oral fixations.

With that in mind, why would vaping be any different?

Vaping is NOT smoking. Vaping is legal.

I love you man...

 

[Slickstick]

My wife works for the Federal Government in Virginia. People vape inside the office all the time. The boss doesn't mind and neither does anybody else. It doesn't smell like cigarettes and it doesn't make anybody cough.

 

[Tdubya]

I vape all day at the office. I work for a small company with 25% smokers, and they all get jealous when they walk by my office seeing me blow out plumes of vapor. I've had one convert, who has gotten her son-in-law, and father-in-law on a PV.

 

[StuckinLA]

I work for CIGNA Health Care in L.A. and being in IT Support I cover 5 floors and vape where ever I go and everyone thinks it's great and even some non-smoking employee's want to get a PV to vape the different flavors

 

[Brewlady]

CASAA's website has a brochure that you can download to hand out to all of your employees. Once your employees have a better understanding of what an e-cig is, they might be more comfortable being around vaping co-workers.

http://www.casaa.org/files/CASAA-Ecig-TriFold-Brochure.pdf

 

[Gummy Bear]

I had a boss tell me,,, not only NO! but,,, HELL NO,,,
He said "I don't give a damn what you call it, If there's smoke coming out of your mouth, YOUR SMOKING"!

His point was that if it quacks like a duck,,,

At that point there was no use trying to explain the difference between smoke and steam to a .....$$ like that.




BTW I no longer work there.

 

[nvsmokr]

I have fun a few restaurants. I would have preferred that the employee's vaped rather then disappearing for 5-10 min every fee hours. I would chew nic gum or use patches because E-cigs were not avilable and I couldn't leave the line. Now I couldn't as I work for a casino restaurant so there are cameras all over, but several coworkers have started along with me. I think allowing us to vape would be reasonable. Especilly since breaks are hard to come by in a shorthanded kitchen.

 

[Kevin Freeheart]

I had a boss tell me,,, not only NO! but,,, HELL NO,,,
He said "I don't give a damn what you call it, If there's smoke coming out of your mouth, YOUR SMOKING"!

His point was that if it quacks like a duck,,,

Does that mean company policy prohibits me from coming to work on days it's cold enough for me to see my breath outside?

 

[Algernon]

Just remember that "pushing-it" isn't making you stand out too much towards your boss.
A bit of brown-nosing goes a long way in the wallet department.

 

[medic123]

I work in a County goverment Emergency Management office. My first day at work I carried my PV in my bosses office and explained what it was. He said I could use it everywhere. Now he sends others to talk to me about it and trys to convert everyone off of analogs.

 

[VicTweezy]

I work in a County goverment Emergency Management office. My first day at work I carried my PV in my bosses office and explained what it was. He said I could use it everywhere. Now he sends others to talk to me about it and trys to convert everyone off of analogs.

DAAAAAAng, Lucky!