|
|
Post by annabella on Jun 22, 2017 16:04:11 GMT
My department had a staff meeting where one woman mentioned that the company is going to send out an email instructing people where to smoke because lately a few people have been smoking too close to the building. She went on to say that the company offers smoking cessions classes. Sitting next to her was my friend, the only smoker in our department. The lady realized this as she was leaving the meeting and smoke to my friend once again reiterating the smoking cessions options. My friend got pissed off over how awkward the meeting was since she's the only smoker. We went to lunch together and she spent the whole time bitching about this. She said you wouldn't go up to a fat person and say our company offers weight watchers if you're interested. And if the company was so interested in having a healthy appearance why do they offer ice cream socials? touche. Now I think smoking is a disgusting habit but I never saw it from her side and thought she had a point. Wanted to see what the peas think? Why is smoking demonized more than obesity? Do you think one is worse than the other?
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:47:40 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2017 16:10:43 GMT
As an ex-smoker and a fat person (because I quit smoking! hah) I'd have to say smoking is much worse. Both are very harmful to the individual, but smoking affects others, whereas being fat only hurts the individual. So while I do understand your friend's gripe, she really can't compare the two.
ETA: I wish my company offered Weight Watchers or some kind of support group! They do offer discounts for gyms, but there aren't any near me. The nearest one is 30 minutes away.
|
|
johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,687
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
|
Post by johnnysmom on Jun 22, 2017 16:14:57 GMT
If a person shoving cupcakes into their mouth forced others to have to walk through a cloud of flour, face risk of stomach cancer from second-hand eating or smell of frosting then it would be a better comparison, but since none of that is true I don't think it's fair to compare the two. Though I don't think it was really appropriate for the other co-worker to be so rude.
|
|
|
|
Post by myshelly on Jun 22, 2017 16:16:07 GMT
Smoking affects other people in a way that other issues don't.
It's not just about health.
It's about how much it tangibly affects others who do not choose or consent to be around it.
And in a variety of fields there are other factors - like maybe a client complained about the smell of the smoker or a customer complained about having to walk through the smoke to get into the building to do business.
|
|
valleyview
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,816
Jun 27, 2014 18:41:26 GMT
|
Post by valleyview on Jun 22, 2017 16:16:45 GMT
I think that any time one person's habits, mistakes, or lifestyle choices are discussed in a group meeting, that it is a poor management choice. It's targeting meant to use the group to get everyone into compliance. I wouldn't like to be targeted, and I always hated having my time wasted listening to what was being done wrong when there was only ever one person out of line.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:47:40 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2017 16:17:40 GMT
My department had a staff meeting where one woman mentioned that the company is going to send out an email instructing people where to smoke because lately a few people have been smoking too close to the building. She went on to say that the company offers smoking cessions classes. Sitting next to her was my friend, the only smoker in our department. The lady realized this as she was leaving the meeting and smoke to my friend once again reiterating the smoking cessions options. My friend got pissed off over how awkward the meeting was since she's the only smoker. We went to lunch together and she spent the whole time bitching about this. She said you wouldn't go up to a fat person and say our company offers weight watchers if you're interested. And if the company was so interested in having a healthy appearance why do they offer ice cream socials? touche. Now I think smoking is a disgusting habit but I never saw it from her side and thought she had a point. Wanted to see what the peas think? Why is smoking demonized more than obesity? Do you think one is worse than the other? Smoking affects more than just the smoker. It affects those who breathe the second hand smoke. which is why they are asked to move away from doors and places others have to be. And people DO point out weight watchers and diet clinics to the obese. Smoking is always a personal choice. The causes of obesity may not always be a personal choice in the same way. |
|
|
|
Post by padresfan619 on Jun 22, 2017 16:18:49 GMT
As a person who grew up going to school in the early 90s to the early 2000s I truly don't understand how people my age start up smoking. It was a deal breaker when I was dating. I was so relieved when I met my husband and found out he didn't smoke, but all of his friends do!
I don't miss having my clothes and hair smell like smoke when I would stay over at his place with roommates who smoked.
|
|
|
|
Post by Merge on Jun 22, 2017 16:20:26 GMT
If I used the health insurance in my district I'd be required to watch videos about weight management in order to get the lower rate. We have to be weighed yearly in order to renew insurance. Smokers are required to watch videos about smoking cessation, but only if they self-report as smokers.
So it's not my experience that smokers are stigmatized more than fat people.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:47:40 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2017 16:20:29 GMT
I think smoking is far, far worse. Smoking exposes everyone else to dangerous toxins, innocent people who are forced against their wishes to breathe the toxins. Not to say being obese is healthy, but at least those who are obese are hurting only themselves. I think the commparison of smoking to ice cream socials is ridiculous. People die from smoking. People die from being exposed to second hand smoke. But I have yet to hear of anyone dying because they went to an ice cream social.
|
|
|
|
Post by lisacharlotte on Jun 22, 2017 16:25:07 GMT
I think that any time one person's habits, mistakes, or lifestyle choices are discussed in a group meeting, that it is a poor management choice. It's targeting meant to use the group to get everyone into compliance. I wouldn't like to be targeted, and I always hated having my time wasted listening to what was being done wrong when there was only ever one person out of line. Yes! Also, if cigarettes disappeared tomorrow, we'd all survive. Food isn't an option. You don't tell an alcoholic they can have just one. People who say food doesn't taste as good as skinny feels have something wrong with their tastebuds. I've been skinny, I love food more. I say this as someone who started smoking at 12. I quit twice. Once at 22 and again at 24 before I got pregnant. It's been just over 27 years. If i was told i was going to die very soon, i'd take up smoking again. I miss it even all these years later. |
|
PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,843
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
|
Post by PaperAngel on Jun 22, 2017 16:31:13 GMT
While I don't think your coworker is comparing apples to oranges, I agree with her point. Singling out one person during a group meeting is unnecessary (& a waste of time for every one else in attendance).
|
|
SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,926 
|
Post by SweetieBsMom on Jun 22, 2017 16:32:12 GMT
My department had a staff meeting where one woman mentioned that the company is going to send out an email instructing people where to smoke because lately a few people have been smoking too close to the building. She went on to say that the company offers smoking cessions classes. Sitting next to her was my friend, the only smoker in our department. The lady realized this as she was leaving the meeting and smoke to my friend once again reiterating the smoking cessions options. My friend got pissed off over how awkward the meeting was since she's the only smoker. We went to lunch together and she spent the whole time bitching about this. She said you wouldn't go up to a fat person and say our company offers weight watchers if you're interested. And if the company was so interested in having a healthy appearance why do they offer ice cream socials? touche. Now I think smoking is a disgusting habit but I never saw it from her side and thought she had a point. Wanted to see what the peas think? Why is smoking demonized more than obesity? Do you think one is worse than the other? Since it was a problem the person had no choice but to bring it up at the staff meeting. But I would have left it there. Even if I knew your friend was the only smoker, I would have not mentioned it as she was leaving. I would have assumed your friend heard it during the staff meeting and if she wanted to avail herself of the benefit she would.
Our work is a completely smoke free campus meaning if you want to smoke you have to get in your car and drive off campus. Security will write you up if they catch you smoking in your car in the parking lot and they will report you to HR. It happened with one of my employees who had quit and went back to it because she was stressed. I had to have a talk with her about it. People who smoke here pay higher insurance rates. We've been told by our benefits group that it will also be happening for people that are overweight. We do offer smoker cessation support and I think there's also weigh loss support as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by pondrunner on Jun 22, 2017 16:42:27 GMT
If I tell you: Smoking near the building poses a health problem for some of your coworkers who are sensitive. Here are some ways you can modify your behavior including some ways we support as a company so as to be free of charge to you.
There is no parallel to weight issues. No one would say, being fat near your coworkers causes a health problem for some of them. Here are some ways you can modify your body to be less problematic for them, including our Weight Watchers program.
That is why these things are different and not really comparable. One impacts others, one doesn't. You say things like this to everyone so everyone knows the policy about smoking and no one person is singled out.
|
|
|
|
Post by lisae on Jun 22, 2017 16:47:21 GMT
I think smoking is worse for the reasons above. However, in your department's situation, I think the manager should have spoken with your friend individually knowing she was the only smoker. When I was a corporate trainer, one of our pet peeves in the training department were managers who wanted to put everyone in the department through training for an issue when they really just need to talk to one or two people about their behavior. Usually in those cases, the people who should have been getting the message would just get irritated or assume we were taking about someone else and not them.
|
|
georgiapea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,846
|
Post by georgiapea on Jun 22, 2017 16:48:04 GMT
Overweight people don't impact my health. Encountering a smoker does. Your co-worker is just looking for a way to justify her revolting habit. I hope she takes the information to heart and stops smoking. I'd like to see more companies refuse to hire smokers.
|
|
Dalai Mama
Drama Llama
La Pea Boheme
Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
|
Post by Dalai Mama on Jun 22, 2017 16:56:02 GMT
Ice-cream? This is her equivalence?
Why do they offer ice-cream socials? Because ice-cream is not responsible for obesity. Because my eating ice-cream does not affect the welfare of those around me. Because ice-cream is freaking awesome!
|
|
|
|
Post by annabella on Jun 22, 2017 17:35:22 GMT
ETA: I wish my company offered Weight Watchers or some kind of support group! They do offer discounts for gyms, but there aren't any near me. The nearest one is 30 minutes away. It's free and during business hours. I went once but to me it was weird to have a social meeting without snacks. lol I mean I get why there's no food, but it reminded me of a church group meeting or a bookclub, yet there was an element missing. |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:47:40 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2017 17:39:03 GMT
ETA: I wish my company offered Weight Watchers or some kind of support group! They do offer discounts for gyms, but there aren't any near me. The nearest one is 30 minutes away. It's free and during business hours. I went once but to me it was weird to have a social meeting without snacks. lol I mean I get why there's no food, but it reminded me of a church group meeting or a bookclub, yet there was an element missing. LOL! In my old town, I attended TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) and they did offer snacks! Fruit, yogurt, and other low calorie snacks. They also had a recipe class and people made some of them and brought them to class. It was a lot of fun! I need to find one around my new area! |
|
MizIndependent
Drama Llama
Quit your bullpoop.
Posts: 5,927
Jun 25, 2014 19:43:16 GMT
|
Post by MizIndependent on Jun 22, 2017 17:43:17 GMT
Why is smoking demonized more than obesity? Do you think one is worse than the other? No matter how long I'm around someone who is overweight I won't get lung cancer. I do think smoking is worse. |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:47:40 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2017 17:49:40 GMT
I believe smoking is worse because it affects everyone around you.
It also costs the employer productivity every time the smoker leaves his or her desk to have a smoke. And it costs money and resources to dedicate a smoking area, try to contain the odor and staining, mitigate any environmental risks that may present with a cigarette on that jobsite, etc.
However, in this situation, it does seem it was handled poorly to address it this way when it only pertains to one person.
|
|
eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
|
Post by eleezybeth on Jun 22, 2017 17:50:09 GMT
Nah, she needs to get over it. We do NOT know how many people on your team smoke only at home or only at weekends and might need those same services. She chose to let herself be singled out. She needs to address the feelings that are really going on.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jun 22, 2017 18:06:55 GMT
However, in your department's situation, I think the manager should have spoken with your friend individually knowing she was the only smoker. However, in this situation, it does seem it was handled poorly to address it this way when it only pertains to one person. We do NOT know how many people on your team smoke only at home or only at weekends and might need those same services. That last quote is exactly what I've been thinking throughout this. No one KNOWS for sure that the one employee is the only smoker. I think as long as she's not singled out, it's perfectly appropriate to address this through a staff meeting. Topics in staff meetings often don't directly apply to everyone present, but can be more general announcements. Plus even non-smoking employees may have visitors or clients who are smokers and so everyone should be made aware of the rules. |
|
|
|
Post by LisaDV on Jun 22, 2017 18:21:27 GMT
As an ex-smoker and a fat person (because I quit smoking! hah). I'm also an ex-smoker and a fat person (due to the quitting). For years after quitting, I'd gag at the smell. Within the last year, I've changed to searching for the smoker and stopping myself from bumming one. I don't want to go down that path. As a smoker I never felt judged or looked down upon. It was an unhealthy habit I picked up but I didn't feel people judged me as a person. Being fat, I have definitely felt judged and looked down upon many times. Is your smoking friend one of the people who have started smoking too close to the building? Is she just defensive due to that? Regardless, the other staff member should have left her alone after the staff meeting, it sounds like she just felt a bit guilty and was trying to make amends in the wrong way, or she's on a personal mission to completely rid the office of smokers. |
|
|
|
Post by annie on Jun 22, 2017 18:27:39 GMT
Why is smoking demonized more than obesity? Do you think one is worse than the other? I think they're both bad and they both hurt all of us. All our health costs are higher because obesity causes problems, diseases, and lifetime medical issues. And obviously smoking is an awful habit that does the same. I've been a smoker, and I've been too heavy, so I'm not trying to be mean. But both of these issues DO affect the population at large, financially. I think a company addressing the smoking thing is fine, but they should also attempt to encourage their employees to maintain a healthy weight, as well. Just my two cents. |
|
|
|
Post by kernriver on Jun 22, 2017 18:28:54 GMT
There could be medical reasons a person is fat.
Smoking should be demonized. It's awful for everyone.
|
|
|
|
Post by elaine on Jun 22, 2017 18:46:53 GMT
Why is smoking demonized more than obesity? Do you think one is worse than the other? I think they're both bad and they both hurt all of us. All our health costs are higher because obesity causes problems, diseases, and lifetime medical issues. And obviously smoking is an awful habit that does the same. I've been a smoker, and I've been too heavy, so I'm not trying to be mean. But both of these issues DO affect the population at large, financially. I think a company addressing the smoking thing is fine, but they should also attempt to encourage their employees to maintain a healthy weight, as well. Just my two cents. I think that Annabella said that they do offer Weight Watchers meetings during business hours. |
|
gizzy
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,553
Jul 20, 2014 1:06:15 GMT
|
Post by gizzy on Jun 22, 2017 19:12:01 GMT
As an ex smoker, to me, they don't compare. As someone else said, it affects everyone, not just the smoker. Is she going somewhere to smoke that she can't be seen?
What I take offense to is the coworker calling her out in a meeting. That should have been handled in private thru HR. If your friend is the only smoker, this lady knew that, too. Has she asked her before to move while she's smoking?
|
|
|
|
Post by annabella on Jun 22, 2017 19:14:24 GMT
My friend doesn't smoke in front of the building, in fact I have never seen anyone do so.
|
|
|
|
Post by lisae on Jun 22, 2017 20:39:36 GMT
Plus even non-smoking employees may have visitors or clients who are smokers and so everyone should be made aware of the rules. Good point. |
|
|
|
Post by papercrafteradvocate on Jun 22, 2017 21:18:11 GMT
My department had a staff meeting where one woman mentioned that the company is going to send out an email instructing people where to smoke because lately a few people have been smoking too close to the building. She went on to say that the company offers smoking cessions classes. Sitting next to her was my friend, the only smoker in our department. The lady realized this as she was leaving the meeting and smoke to my friend once again reiterating the smoking cessions options. My friend got pissed off over how awkward the meeting was since she's the only smoker. We went to lunch together and she spent the whole time bitching about this. She said you wouldn't go up to a fat person and say our company offers weight watchers if you're interested. And if the company was so interested in having a healthy appearance why do they offer ice cream socials? touche. Now I think smoking is a disgusting habit but I never saw it from her side and thought she had a point. Wanted to see what the peas think? Why is smoking demonized more than obesity? Do you think one is worse than the other? You and other employees should pay attention to this as well--your insurance might be less if there are no smokers within the group insurance. One person who smokes can pull down the insurance a company negotiates so there is a benefit to the stoppage programs. |
|
