Blowing your Employers Money Up in Smoke

Originally posted on Recruiter.com July 23, 2013.

Sending your Employer’s Money Up in Smoke

Ah smoking and the workplace, such a conundrum. Does anyone remember that Friends episode where Jennifer Aniston pretends to be a smoker to get in on all of the conversations that go on during smoke breaks? Well if you don’t, that’s the gist of it. “Rachel Green” chokes down smoke because she’s sick and tired of missing out on the gossip, the office politics down low, and even work trip invitations.

Cliques

Have you ever been the non-smoker at a conference? It can be tough. A lot goes down in those smoke pits. There can be a camaraderie among these outcasts. When anyone is told to take their habit elsewhere, they will bond with others like them. Smokers tend to create cliques that can affect the workplace dynamic. These cliques are tough enough to combat without managers showing preferential treatment to those in their smoking circle. In the same manner that smoke permeates through the air, smoking has a farther reach in the workplace than one might think.

The Time Cost to the Company

Sorry smokers, but someone has actually calculated what your dirty little habit is costing your employer, and time alone came to a surprising $3,077. The study, published in Tobacco Control was conducted pretty conservatively. The number is based on an average salary and five 15-minute smoke breaks per day, three of which took place during sanctioned break times. So really only two of these breaks affected the study.

These break times are literally sending the organization’s money up in smoke. When you consider that 19 percent of all U.S. adults are smokers, this translates to a large percentage of the workforce. If nearly 20 percent of a given company’s workers are costing it an extra $3,077 per year (not counting the other cost factors involved) this might be something to take notice of. Continue reading..

photo credit: massimo ankor via photopin cc

Maren Hogan

Maren Hogan is CEO of Red Branch and general Bad@$$

Maren Hogan is a seasoned marketer and community builder in the HR and Recruiting industry. Maren started Red Branch Media and, before she hired all the smiling faces you see below, she ran it on her own. In marketing for over 15 years, she has deep experience in strategic campaigns and a long-term, results-based operational approach.