1. Explain how you would handle this situation if you were Charles Renfold.
If I were to be the one handling this situation, the first thing I would do is talk to all the smokers. I would explain the law and the company policy and tell them that there have been complaints and listen to their concerns as well. Sometimes the people getting the complaints have the best ideas on how to fix the problem plus this would give them an easy feeling that as the supervisor, I was not taking sides on the issue. There could be several low cost solutions that might be implemented such as exhaust fans or room deodorizers. I would go back and talk to Darlene and ask her for any suggestions on how this problem can be corrected and share the ideas that I got from the smokers. If I fail to reach a mutual agreement then I would have no choice but to adhere to company policy. From there, I could make suggestions up my chain of command if I didn’t agree with the current policy.
2. Describe the policy on smoking that you would recommend to Redwood Associates.
My policy on smoking would be that smoking is allowed in designated areas outside the building only. This may anger some employees but it is the right thing to do. Smoking is known to be dangerous to your health as well as others around them. I don’t feel that anyone should be subjected to anyone else’s bad habits. I would also make it clear that smoke breaks should only be taken your break times or lunch and not at any given time when the urge hits them. I would provide the necessary ash cans but it would be the smoker’s responsibility to keep the area clean. If cleanliness becomes a problem then my only choice would to become a smoke free workplace.
3. Explain how this case would change if what bothers Darlene is not old smoke but the smell of Alice’s perfume or Frank’s body odor.
If the problem was the smell of perfume or body odor, I would handle the issue similarly but on a one on one bases. People become more defensive when they are called out in front of a group. If the complaint was coming from only one person I would go see for myself whether or not I found the smell offensive. Once I have made my decision on the smell, I would talk to the employee I felt was in the wrong. Either way, one employee will be upset and feel like you took one side over the other.
4. Explain whether it is fair or reasonable for companies to ban employees from smoking in their cars in the company parking lot.
It would be unreasonable for companies to ban employees from smoking in their personal cars in the parking lot. Most people, me included, would feel like the company has crossed the line unless the employee has a job where the smell of smoke affects their job. I personally would not want to go to a dentist where the person with their hands near my face smells like smoke. Even then, it is borderline intrusion on a person’s rights. With a rule like that in place it won’t stop someone from putting their cigarette out seconds before driving on the property so what would they really have accomplished? The amount of turmoil a policy like this would cause would not be worth the gain they want to accomplish.