Really? How would they objectively justify this discriminatory stance? Sure, they may have some aspects that cost employers more money, but even so, that is not a universal cost with all smokers…
I find this study to be completely unreliable. Because there is no way to objectively verify the amount money a person could make for the company, because that is a very individualistic variable which can’t be accurately averaged.
Also, cigarette’s are a anti-psychotic, so you are going to have a less stressed work force = higher probability of a happier worker = a more productive work force = means more money.
“Smokers took, on average, about five breaks a day, compared with the three breaks typically sanctioned for most workers.”
I would like to see the statistical data on this, because I would think that there would be a lot outliers in this study, because the average/mean of smokers could be distorted by people who smoke a ridiculous amount of cigarettes. Like 3 backs a day.
“The remaining costs came from increased absenteeism — the researchers found that smokers miss about two-and-a-half extra workdays each year — and lost productivity at work, perhaps because of nicotine’s withdrawal effects.”
2 1/2 work days? out of 365 days a year? That’s less than one percent of a year…the costs are small at best.
“We certainly encourage businesses to provide smoking cessation programs. At least for large companies, it’s highly likely to save them money over time,”
That’s an interesting plan for increasing productivity, but I am not sure it is really going to make companies that much more money.
Smoking is just another thing for employees to waste their time with. You could screen for smokers during interviews, or just have a strict smoking policy at work. Smokers would have a chance to smoke at least during their lunch break.
Aaron Carroll defends rationing in the Oregon Medicaid program.
I don’t have a problem with public programs rationing the amount of services they are willing to provide any given person. In consumer markets, goods and services are rationed by price. In non-market sectors, of course donors should place limits on the goods and services provided to benefactors. That’s why I’ve never complained about so-called Death Panels.
“Smokers cost employers $5,816 apiece per year; more than half is lost time from smoking breaks.”
Will employers try to screen out smokers during interviews now?
They should pay smokers less than non-smokers.
Really? How would they objectively justify this discriminatory stance? Sure, they may have some aspects that cost employers more money, but even so, that is not a universal cost with all smokers…
Health Costs is how you can justify it. It’s not discrimination…they choose to make themselves less healthy than a non-smoker.
I find this study to be completely unreliable. Because there is no way to objectively verify the amount money a person could make for the company, because that is a very individualistic variable which can’t be accurately averaged.
Exactly!
Also, cigarette’s are a anti-psychotic, so you are going to have a less stressed work force = higher probability of a happier worker = a more productive work force = means more money.
“Smokers took, on average, about five breaks a day, compared with the three breaks typically sanctioned for most workers.”
I would like to see the statistical data on this, because I would think that there would be a lot outliers in this study, because the average/mean of smokers could be distorted by people who smoke a ridiculous amount of cigarettes. Like 3 backs a day.
Also who was the demographic of people who were interviewed for this study, because that changes the statistics a lot.
“The remaining costs came from increased absenteeism — the researchers found that smokers miss about two-and-a-half extra workdays each year — and lost productivity at work, perhaps because of nicotine’s withdrawal effects.”
2 1/2 work days? out of 365 days a year? That’s less than one percent of a year…the costs are small at best.
“We certainly encourage businesses to provide smoking cessation programs. At least for large companies, it’s highly likely to save them money over time,”
That’s an interesting plan for increasing productivity, but I am not sure it is really going to make companies that much more money.
Smoking is just another thing for employees to waste their time with. You could screen for smokers during interviews, or just have a strict smoking policy at work. Smokers would have a chance to smoke at least during their lunch break.
Aaron Carroll defends rationing in the Oregon Medicaid program.
I don’t have a problem with public programs rationing the amount of services they are willing to provide any given person. In consumer markets, goods and services are rationed by price. In non-market sectors, of course donors should place limits on the goods and services provided to benefactors. That’s why I’ve never complained about so-called Death Panels.