Discussions

I know a lot of places don't give smoking breaks on top of their other breaks, everywhere I have ever worked didn't. I don't see why smokers need that. A smoke every two or 3 hours while at work on your normal break seems reasonable. I'm not sure where you work but seems like it's not very well managed. I'd talk to a few other non smokers at your work place and see what their feelings are and if you all agree go talk to management about it and/or write them a note. But be respectful about it.

The way I solved this issue in the past (as a non-smoker)  
was to ask my boss for a 'non smoke' smoke break, with the explanation simply being that if everyone else got that extra time, then I should too! (Guess who got those breaks )  

But I've smoked for years and never have been allowed (nor have I expected) extra breaks. I smoke on the alloted break times...as does everyone else. Allowing extra breaks seems very counter productive.  
However....being that your company allows it....I agree with just taking extra breaks for yourself. Go get a drink and stop on the way to socialize....or whatever. I wouldn't make a big issue, just make sure you allow yourself some extra downtime as well

See, under the Human Rights Commission, smoking can be viewed as a disability as it is an addiction and the employer should try to meet or attempt to try and meet the needs of an individual to make sure they're being cared for and are not being discriminated against for their disability. Granted, this should not interfere with said persons work performance. Should this need or condition work backwards and hinder the job performance and slow all things down, then the employer can withdraw his or her hire and terminate them (under a specific time frame when first hired, and under specific grounds.)  
 
You can read about different rights and what not under Manitoba's HRC website. http://www.manitobahumanrights.ca  
 
Personally, I don't think its fair as I think a non-smoker should get a breather from time to time too. But I understand that I am a healthy non-smoker and do not need to take any unnecessary breaks when I already get two and a lunch break.  
 
Just my two cents...

Where I work no extra breaks for smokers super isor unlocked smoke pit 5 min before break and lock 5 min after break time. Also controlling coffee machine now. The other big one is washroom trips we have a couple people that make 7-8 trips in 12 hour shift. Soon you will find that locked as well.

can honestly say I've never worked anywhere that allowed extra breaks for smokers. I've seen it allowed that you take three 10 mins & a meal break instead of two 15 mins & a meal break smoker or not, but really that is up to the company, as only a meal break is required by labour standards (depending on how long you work). Anything else you get is a bonus, and up to the company (or union as per collective agreement).

Don't worry about it, we get to live wonderfully in our golden years while they're pushing up daisies.

Black Star said "Where I work no extra breaks for smokers super isor unlocked smoke pit 5 min before break and lock 5 min after break time. Also controlling coffee machine now. The other big one is washroom trips we have a couple people that make 7-8 trips in 12 hour shift. Soon you will find that locked as well. "

thats not even once an hour, personally i need to go once an hour so if they locked the bathroom door on me i would have a huge issue with it  
 
as for smoking breaks, i have never seen a place say they allow an extra break but smokers take lots of breaks when its slower anyway, making the non smokers fill in the gaps which isnt fair, you can do a few things, bring it to the attention of your boss or like another poster said, just take water breaks every now and again and then it evens out  
 
i really m glad i dont work at a place that micro manages my time, but then im paid for the work i do not by the hour, takes away all that BS and i love it

can't wait till Marijuana is legal - whohoo!

I used to smoke, and never would I ask or think it would be fair to my fellow co workers to take extra breaks. I am given specific times throughout my day for two 15 min breaks, and an hour lunch. If I had ever felt the need for smoke before one of the times given I would ask to switch breaks with someone else.  
 
Even when I did smoke it really bothered me that some would take more time that given and it was usually the higher ups that did so.  
 
As a non smoker, I can say I HATE walking by smokers because the smell really makes me sick now, and on top of that all I hate it even more when I'm out with my son who isn't yet a year old and people feel its okay to light a smoke up while we are walking by. It's one thing to put my lungs at risk as I did for sometime, however if there is a child around please have the decency to wait till they are away from you. And as for smoking outside the door, yeah I don't think that is right, again what if someone (non-smoker) with a child walks out that door, they have chose to lead a healthy smoke free life please allow them to walk away from you with out coughing, feeling sick and/or having to hold their breath because you chose to smoke.  
 
I don't care if people smoke that's their choice, but please be courteous to those who have decided that is not a path they would like to follow! I know so many people who smoke and do so with out bothering others, please all take a lesson from them!!

Happy mom said "I used to smoke, and never would I ask or think it would be fair to my fellow co workers to take extra breaks. I am given specific times throughout my day for two 15 min breaks, and an hour lunch. If I had ever felt the need for smoke before one of the times given I would ask to switch breaks with someone else.     Even when I did smoke it really bothered me that some would take more time that given and it was usually the higher ups that did so.     As a non smoker, I can say I HATE walking by smokers because the smell really makes me sick now, and on top of that all I hate it even more when I'm out with my son who isn't yet a year old and people feel its okay to light a smoke up while we are walking by. It's one thing to put my lungs at risk as I did for sometime, however if there is a child around please have the decency to wait till they are away from you. And as for smoking outside the door, yeah I don't think that is right, again what if someone (non-smoker) with a child walks out that door, they have chose to lead a healthy smoke free life please allow them to walk away from you with out coughing, feeling sick and/or having to hold their breath because you chose to smoke.     I don't care if people smoke that's their choice, but please be courteous to those who have decided that is not a path they would like to follow! I know so many people who smoke and do so with out bothering others, please all take a lesson from them!! "

the ashtray at Wal Mart is right by the front door....so that is where I will smoke as people come and go. The ashtray at the South End of the Shoppers Mall, again is right by the door....so that is where I will smoke.  
 
If you are out walking with your son and meet someone smoking or lighting a smoke, that is their right. How do they know you don't smoke yourself?  
 
Walking through the doors at either place for 2.5 seconds it will take you is not going to harm your child. Walking by someone is even less time.  
 
Hey smoking is bad for you and it is an addiction, I actually am a very considerate smoker. Smoke where I am supposed to, take the proper breaks, don't throw my ashtray on the street. But I am no way "high and mighty" like a non-smoker.

JehovahsThickness said "See, under the Human Rights Commission, smoking can be viewed as a disability as it is an addiction and the employer should try to meet or attempt to try and meet the needs of an individual to make sure they're being cared for and are not being discriminated against for their disability. Granted, this should not interfere with said persons work performance. Should this need or condition work backwards and hinder the job performance and slow all things down, then the employer can withdraw his or her hire and terminate them (under a specific time frame when first hired, and under specific grounds.)     You can read about different rights and what not under Manitoba's HRC website. http://www.manitobahumanrights.ca     Personally, I don't think its fair as I think a non-smoker should get a breather from time to time too. But I understand that I am a healthy non-smoker and do not need to take any unnecessary breaks when I already get two and a lunch break.     Just my two cents... "

Are also health issues. Will they be next looking for special breaks?

Timetowakeup said "The whole reason smoke breaks came into effect was to protect non smokers! People used to be able to smoke at their desk or work place. Then smokers claimed that that was unfair as it exposed them to second hand smoke so the law was passed that a business had to ban smoking in an indoor facility. Now non smokers don't like that people are getting extra time off so they can follow the rules that they fought to have enacted? Add this to don't like people standing outside of entrances smoking as they have to walk through it rally cry of the non smokers and it is starting to sound like the poor me's. Your lobbing was met with this is a legitimate complaint and we as smokers followed the rules, now that we have eliminated smoking from your workplace and some employers feel to be fair we will now allow smokers the freedom to feed their addiction (yes it is an addiction not a choice) as long as it only endangers themselves yet funny how now the non smokers are still complaining? It's not fair to me, boo hoo "

And some offices had alcohol in the work place too. Doesn't mean they should now be allowed to drink in the parking lot.

I understand your frustration, but I think the problem is not with your smoking co-worker, its with your weak manager. It's human nature for people to try an get away with extra breaks, not that all people do. As a manager I know who the weakest link is, and its my responsibility to manage the office fairly. If that isn't happening, then it would be my failure.

Speakmymind said "First of all it is there choice to start smoking. It just sounds like an excuse. A disability should be someone who doesn't chose to be disabled. "

Most people will start smoking when they are thirteen, fourteen.....so give the choice, they will smoke with their friends and bee cool.

I have seen this also but it was also years ago when you could smoke inside. It was at a local resteraunt. If you were in the break room having a smoke nothing was ever said to you. But if you dared sitting in there for a minute not smoking and it wasn't your beak time you would get told to get to work. Smokers got triple or more the breaks that non-smokers got.

Lets not turn your manager into a daycare worker. Its his/her job to make sure things are getting done.  
If they need to clamp down on smoke breaks, or yacking on cell phones, excessive bathroom breaks, horse play, or even whining and griping, they will.  
Nothing is more counter-productive in the work place than a complainer.

Lets not turn your manager into a daycare worker. Its his/her job to make sure things are getting done.  
If they need to clamp down on smoke breaks, or yacking on cell phones, excessive bathroom breaks, horse play, or even whining and griping, they will.  
Nothing is more counter-productive in the work place than a complainer.

I am a non smoker and I was never allowed technically to have a break. I had to be in the front look after clients that came into the door and answer phones, it was hard enough to go to the bathroom or even get mail ready (I usually stayed after hours to complete it if there was not enough time and I did not charge overtime). I still had my coffee but I got my cup before I was needed at work and sipped on it through out the day. I just think that the smokers go out and they chat and they usually loose track of time and can't forget to mention that they stink of smoke. I am glad the restaurants has banned it. I've never smoked anything in my life (I am 31)and I am not going to start. I think that they should dock their pay when they go for a smoke on the company hours time. They also increase the work load of the people who have to fill in for them while they smoke. Just my two bits....

Waitn' for the weekend said "I am a non smoker and I was never allowed technically to have a break. I had to be in the front look after clients that came into the door and answer phones, it was hard enough to go to the bathroom or even get mail ready (I usually stayed after hours to complete it if there was not enough time and I did not charge overtime). I still had my coffee but I got my cup before I was needed at work and sipped on it through out the day. I just think that the smokers go out and they chat and they usually loose track of time and can't forget to mention that they stink of smoke. I am glad the restaurants has banned it. I've never smoked anything in my life (I am 31)and I am not going to start. I think that they should dock their pay when they go for a smoke on the company hours time. They also increase the work load of the people who have to fill in for them while they smoke. Just my two bits.... "

Have you ever done payroll? No you haven't or you would not be saying to doc their pay.  
 
Good for you for never going to start, wise choice, ADDICTIONS are hard to break.  
 
Believe me when I say your supervisor notices what is going on and who is abusing this.

Okay, I am a smoker and am shocked that other smokers are saying this behaviour is okay. I take 2 coffee breaks a day (less than 15 minutes combined) and a lunch break. I do not take extra breaks to smoke. I don't think taking a 5 or 10 minute break every hour is okay, and if I was the employer I would dock pay. And YES I have done payroll. Talk about self-entitled people. Wow! Take some nicorette gum to work if you can't go a few hours without a smoke.

place I worked if you took a break for coffee or smoke, you where required to clock out. You where expected to work 8 hours for 8 hours pay.