Quit smoking OR Quit your job
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/top/story/0,4136,81949,00.html
from 
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JoeUser Forums
WHAT'S what the owner of a US company told his 200 employees.
They cannot smoke not only during work but even when they are not at work.
Weyco Inc, a medical benefits administrator in Michigan, recently sacked four workers after they refused to submit to a breath test.
The firm says the ban will help keep health costs down.
VIOLATION OF RIGHTS?
But opponents say it is a violation of workers' rights to indulge whatever habits they choose to when they are off-duty, particularly as smoking is legal and does not impair people's ability to do their jobs.
Weyco says that, as its business is to help other firms save money and improve employees' health through its benefit plans, it is only natural it should take a lead in the issue.
Weyco President Howard Weyers, in a message on its website, said: 'For every smoker who quits, there will be many people - family members, friends, co-workers - who are very thankful the person won't be going to an early grave.'
Two years ago Weyco decided it would no longer hire smokers and told current employees who smoked that they had 15 months to quit.
It offered cessation classes and paid for treatments such as hypnotism and acupuncture.
Following this, it banned smoking from its property and began doing breath tests to see if employees smoked. If they tested positive, they were fined if they were not enrolled in a cessation programme.
Next on the firing line: Obese workers.
Mr Weyers, 71, said: 'We have to work on eating habits and getting people to exercise.
'But if you're obese, you're (legally) protected.'
He has:
Brought in an eating disorder therapist to speak to workers
Provided eating coaches
Created a point system for employees to earn health-related US$100 ($163) bonuses and plans to offer US$45 vouchers for health club memberships.
Job placement specialist John Challenger said Weyco's moves could set a precedent for other companies - if it survives potential legal challenges. But so far no-one has challenegd.
They cannot smoke not only during work but even when they are not at work.
Weyco Inc, a medical benefits administrator in Michigan, recently sacked four workers after they refused to submit to a breath test.
The firm says the ban will help keep health costs down.
VIOLATION OF RIGHTS?
But opponents say it is a violation of workers' rights to indulge whatever habits they choose to when they are off-duty, particularly as smoking is legal and does not impair people's ability to do their jobs.
Weyco says that, as its business is to help other firms save money and improve employees' health through its benefit plans, it is only natural it should take a lead in the issue.
Weyco President Howard Weyers, in a message on its website, said: 'For every smoker who quits, there will be many people - family members, friends, co-workers - who are very thankful the person won't be going to an early grave.'
Two years ago Weyco decided it would no longer hire smokers and told current employees who smoked that they had 15 months to quit.
It offered cessation classes and paid for treatments such as hypnotism and acupuncture.
Following this, it banned smoking from its property and began doing breath tests to see if employees smoked. If they tested positive, they were fined if they were not enrolled in a cessation programme.
Next on the firing line: Obese workers.
Mr Weyers, 71, said: 'We have to work on eating habits and getting people to exercise.
'But if you're obese, you're (legally) protected.'
He has:
Brought in an eating disorder therapist to speak to workers
Provided eating coaches
Created a point system for employees to earn health-related US$100 ($163) bonuses and plans to offer US$45 vouchers for health club memberships.
Job placement specialist John Challenger said Weyco's moves could set a precedent for other companies - if it survives potential legal challenges. But so far no-one has challenegd.