Old Smoke Bus 309

Assignment #2 Old Smoke
Ronic West
Instructor
BUS309
February 26, 2012

Abstract This is our second assignment for Bus 309 we are to write on case study 8.4. Regarding Old Smoke and follow the metric for this assignment described in the course syllabus.

If I was Charles Renfold I would closely weigh the options and look at what other companies in my field are doing with smoking policies. Companies are passing more and more no smoking laws for employees even going as far as employees cannot smoke on the grounds of work. With these considerations I would come up with a designate smoker’s area for my smoking employees. Charles will need to consider her opinion because she is the only employee that can complete an extremely important report for the company. Charles could show his smoking employees how to complete the report for his managers. I find it disturbing personally that a company still allow employees to still smoke inside the building. Then to allow employees to air out the room by opening windows this obvious cannot be healthy for anyone involved. I feel breaks should be built into the work day to insure productivity is still kept at a maximum. Maybe two breaks and lunch for all employees. I think of the companies that are banding smoking from the entire campus how is this being handled. I would definitely build in breaks into the work day and make a designation smokers area outside of the work area for smokers. I would call a meeting for smoking employees first then for non smoking employees explain my decision and the rights of both parties. I would then call a meeting for all employees explaining the respect for all parties involved and promoting a healthy work environment.

I would recommend the policy of designating smoking areas outside of the building to insure it is circulating into the air. Also would discuss promoting health environment for all employees. I will insure there is built in breaks in scheduled for all workers to insure time for all workers smokers are not. Encourage to keep the same productivity and put in place rewards for outstanding productivity.
This case would change if it was due to body odor or perfume. It would become more of an HR issue and personal preference. If it was disrupting the work day then it would be something that needed to be discussed with the employees. I actually dealt with a body odor at one job and the employees sister work there has well. Most employees would talk to the employee’s sister and ask her to discuss it with her sister. Sometimes this would work but other times it would not. After this one of her close friends would then talk to her about it and that would work. But I believe this prevented her from being promoted to management. I believe one off discussions is the only way to handle these possible scenarios. Only if they are truly disrupting the work environment meaning you have employees constantly complaining about this. Sometimes in meetings you can make general comments about being aware of hygiene and fragrances that may affect employees. If that doesn’t work still and you receive constant complaints then move to individual meetings.

I think employees should have a right to smoke in their cars. I see a lot of employers moving towards this. Not sure how smokers feel about this but if I was one I would definitely be upset. Smokers use nicotine has a calming agent I am not sure if I would want to be around employees that are going through withdrawal. This could make the work environment hostile and uncomfortable for everyone. My company will go through this in June and they are making all campus smoke free. You cannot smoke anywhere on the grounds but you currently can smoke several feet away of the building. This is a drastic change from the current policy and I believe has upset workers. They do have help groups in place and also are providing support groups for smokers. But I feel all employees will need to help smokers through this time. So I believe support groups should be formed to include all employees to show all support. This will insure no one is being insensitive to workers that can no longer smoke during the work day. I don’t believe companies should be able to prevent employees from this it is there personal property and if they are inside there cars who is this bothering.

Resources
Shaw (2001) Business Ethics, Cengage Advantage