View Full Version : Smoke Breaks...Fair or Not?
Do you think it is fair that smokers take on average(where I work) 40minutes/day to indulge in their habit :?:
I think I shall be taking celery-breaks from now on.(Diet) :wink:
Amanda M
15-04-05, 01:50 PM
If they're having smoke breaks as well as their normal breaks then it's wrong but if they do it in their tea breaks then fair enough.
Ceri JC
15-04-05, 01:51 PM
I take "SV650.org breaks" :D . I also sometimes go out when one of my friends goes for a fag (despite me not smoking), just for a natter.
mysteryjimbo
15-04-05, 01:51 PM
My 2 most recent jobs have had people who popping out for a smoke. I just use my time to browse the net and come on here! :lol:
Not fair all the same
Carsick
15-04-05, 01:57 PM
I have no issues with it happening, so long as nobody bitches at me when I slack off as well.
Pfff, I take work breaks...
fizzwheel
15-04-05, 02:09 PM
Only if they are taken as part of a normal tea break routine
Some people in my office nip out four or five times in the space of the morning which I think is taking the mick
I would see it as totally fair if non-smokers slinked off for a chat or a breather.
We're human beings, not robots.
It's more than fair - it should be compulsory. These people who are having supposed “breaks” are actually doing their bit for the economy by smoking as often as possible and paying extortionate tax for the privilege.
If you’re a non-smoker, go for a ride to achieve a similar economic benefit (use of fuel). Alternatively, as that may not be an option for all, drink lots of alcohol. You’re country will be grateful.
All said in jest btw…kind of… :)
:lol:
And on that note I'm off for a ciggy. :D
We brought a table footie game when we came to this building which is for anyone's use. Rather than disappearing for a ciggy, disappearing for a quick game of table football is also acceptable.
... and the work still gets done. :o
Non-smokers, you're not chained to your desks, be freeeeeeeee!...... ;)
Not a smoker but I think it fair. Everyone else here yaps at the coffee machine. What amazes me is that the smokers still go outside for a fag even if it's below zero, snowing and a howling gale. Obviously dedicated people :!:
Not a smoker but I think it fair. Everyone else here yaps at the coffee machine. What amazes me is that the smokers still go outside for a fag even if it's below zero, snowing and a howling gale. Obviously dedicated people :!:
... or desperate... ;)
fizzwheel
15-04-05, 03:00 PM
I would see it as totally fair if non-smokers slinked off for a chat or a breather.
We're human beings, not robots.
I do, I call it a "no work break"
El Saxo
15-04-05, 03:01 PM
I think it's completely fair.
Even though I've quit smoking, I still go for a 5 min break every so often (just like I would do if I was having a cig), but I just do something else like nip to the shop for a choccy bar or whatever.
All the other non-smokers in our office who moaned about it were told that they were just as entitled to go for a 5 min break, so it's their own fault if they choose not to.
RenamedMonkey
15-04-05, 03:29 PM
I think it's completely fair.
Even though I've quit smoking, I still go for a 5 min break every so often (just like I would do if I was having a cig), but I just do something else like nip to the shop for a choccy bar or whatever.
All the other non-smokers in our office who moaned about it were told that they were just as entitled to go for a 5 min break, so it's their own fault if they choose not to.
That's fair. However in our company there isn't such a fair entitlement for non-smokers. It's a shambles.
El Saxo
15-04-05, 03:54 PM
I think it's completely fair.
Even though I've quit smoking, I still go for a 5 min break every so often (just like I would do if I was having a cig), but I just do something else like nip to the shop for a choccy bar or whatever.
All the other non-smokers in our office who moaned about it were told that they were just as entitled to go for a 5 min break, so it's their own fault if they choose not to.
That's fair. However in our company there isn't such a fair entitlement for non-smokers. It's a shambles.
Agreed that's not fair in your case. I think the difference is that our office manager doesnt view the breaks as 'smoke-breaks' specifically, just 5 min breaks that the smokers happen to use to go for a smoke...
as a smoker i feel it perfectly fair and just :)
wheelnut
17-04-05, 07:19 AM
I think its totally fair, but then again there is only me in my office, I sleep in the office, I spend all week in the office and I take the office with me whereever i go.
My office has wheels :P
unfair where I work... I end up covering other peoples work cos they spend at least an hour a day on fag breaks...
So I just take my own little breaks to go chat to people, if anything is said I just say well ok i'll just take fag breaks and not smoke then... they soon shut up
Red ones
17-04-05, 08:50 AM
I worked in one place where the smokers took smoking breaks, so a number of us non-smokers took non-smoking breaks. Someone (a non-smoker who didn't think of taking non-smoking breaks) kicked up a stick (presumably of nicotine) and the non-smokers got a rollocking for not standing around doing nothing. We called in the union, who backed us by saying that either everyone had to be rollocked for taking breaks, or no-one. As a result smoking breaks were banned (which was the whole reason why the non-smokers started taking breaks!)
Smoking breaks - not fair! Can I have a beer break to feed my addiction?)
Cloggsy
17-04-05, 10:21 AM
:evil: Not fair... Why should non-smokers be descriminated against for not smoking :evil:
Can you tell I don't like smoking? No, I'm not a reformed smoker!
Chill out.
Non smoker, but not bothered.
MattTheLoony
17-04-05, 03:12 PM
As long as the work gets done and non smokers have the same opportunity to take breaks then it's fair otherwise it's clearly unfair.
I reckon smokers tend to push the breaks thing a bit because of their addiction, non smokers tend not to but it's their own choice, just don't have their body nagging them to get up and take a break.
I think that fag breaks can actually be beneficial. Gives people a chance to clear their head and get away from what they are working on.
Imagine how grumpy the smokers would all be if they couldnt go and feed their habit?
Cloggsy
17-04-05, 03:13 PM
Imagine how grumpy the smokers would all be if they couldnt go and feed their habit?
What's you point :?: :?
MattTheLoony
17-04-05, 03:15 PM
Imagine how grumpy the smokers would all be if they couldnt go and feed their habit?
What's you point :?: :?
My point is that it is better they go for a fag then become grumpy and unbearable.
Where I work, if I wished, I could spend the whole day with my feet up and do absolutely nothing, and no one would care either way. However if any of the many projects that I have responsibility for should fail or an error occurred which was down to me, then I am sure I would pay with my job.
I smoke and probably leave my desk to go for a smoke no more than two or three times a day. We have a smoking room on the second floor, but I would rather go outside for a smoke and yes even if it is below zero. I work through my lunch break everyday, but then I charge for an hours overtime every day too.
Most of my office colleagues are ex forces as I am, so we all have the same mentality to work. Do want you want, when you want so long as the work is done at the end of the day. It makes for a good working environment.
it is more then fair, if the company provides offices or sections of space that ppl can smoke and do their work at the same time, you'll probably find smokers work harder and take less breaks... :? smokers goes outside is the direct result of non-smoker's pursuit of smokeless workplace, so stop complaining and live with it.. :evil: :evil:
northwind
17-04-05, 06:37 PM
I suppose the have to recover some of their lost life expectancy somewhere :)
Carsick
17-04-05, 07:13 PM
it is more then fair, if the company provides offices or sections of space that ppl can smoke and do their work at the same time, you'll probably find smokers work harder and take less breaks... :? smokers goes outside is the direct result of non-smoker's pursuit of smokeless workplace, so stop complaining and live with it.. :evil: :evil:
I hope you're just trying to wind us up.
As long as the work gets done and non smokers have the same opportunity to take breaks then it's fair otherwise it's clearly unfair.
My view on all forms of slacking off.
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