Putting the finishing touches on my 2013 employee handbook and I'm wondering what rules I should include about smoking. Personally I don't smoke, but I'm not overly sensitive to other people doing so. Last year I didn't let my employees smoke on a customer's property, but they were allowed to smoke at the truck (when parked on the street). I didn't let them smoke as soon as we pulled up though. If they wanted to take a break halfway through or at the end of the job I'd usually allow them to do so.
I'm the same as Tom. I don't care if they smoke on site while working, just take the butts with them. No smoking in the truck, and no smoking while in front of the customer. I don't stop for smoke breaks either.
I allow them to smoke in the truck and on the site but they must pocket the butts and never smoke in front of the customer. Asking a smoker to not smoke for 8 or more hrs will decrease their productivity. They can smoke while working I never want to see them sitting around on the job and smoking that I consider stealing from me.
I used to smoke but quit 8 yrs ago, but I dont want to be around it. I don't allow smoking on customers property at the curb fine but only one a house. It's a habit not a necessity, so it's there habit not mine. I don't allow drinking any alcohol either, you need water or gatorade help yoursel. As a HO i dont want any worker smoking or drinking at my house..just looks dirty thats all.
Just real quick I worked for this guy when I was like 18yrs old landscaping he was gigantic. I was cutting the rear lawn at a house when i got somthing in my eye. As I was rubbing it he came into the rear yard saw me rubbing my eye and asked what I was doing. After I told him I got somthing in my eye he told me "take it out on your own time "and he was not kidding!
Check your local law. Up here in my area, some counties do not allow smoking at work. And that can be taken as: anyplace you are working. So, if you have a worker ( or a homeowner ) who does not like the smoke, they can report you for allowing smoking to take place at work. I would never allow a worker to smoke on the job site.
It's your company and you make the rules. I'm a smoker but don't smoke while on the job site. My guys don't smoke so presently there is no issue. In the truck I may have two going at once and a coffee in my other hand, while talking on the cell phone.
Regarding your employee handbook ...years ago while in facilities management we put together a flow chart with pictures/photos of how a job(floor stripping/waxing) was to be set up and completed. Matter of fact I saw something similar to this on another site that we visit. It had to do with soft washing of siding. It left nothing for the imagination and therefore no excuses from the employees.
Serving the Pocono and Lehigh Valley(Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties), PA community as well as both Warren and Sussex Counties of New Jersey
Just real quick I worked for this guy when I was like 18yrs old landscaping he was gigantic. I was cutting the rear lawn at a house when i got somthing in my eye. As I was rubbing it he came into the rear yard saw me rubbing my eye and asked what I was doing. After I told him I got somthing in my eye he told me "take it out on your own time "and he was not kidding!
thanks guys, good feedback. since I don't smoke I don't really know what's fair so I'm going with no smoking in the truck & in front of customers.
@ Hank. Great idea with the pictures. I thought about labeling some parts (down stream injectors, plugs, couplers, etc.) and will probably do so during training, but the flow chart would be a nice touch. I'm trying not to over complicate this, but it was really an area that I struggled with last season. I have very little patience with my employees and I can tell they get nervous in my presence, which inevitably leads to mistakes. It's an idiosyncrasy of mine that I'm not exactly proud of so anything to streamline the process and make things easier for everyone is a win win!!
I do not smoke and I hate it when I find a butt in my yard. I usually blame it on the last person that came to my house. I do not want a customer to ever blame my company so I have a no smoking policy. Nobody smokes anywhere so long as they are getting paid by my company period. I do not want a nonsmoking customer to ever have a reason to be offended. Its my company and I will run it like I want too. If you do not want employees smoking on the job put it in your employee manual.
no smoking. hate it. disgusted by it.. they can smoke when they arent on the clock after the day is done... from minute they show up at the shop till the minute they live... its NO SMOKING.
Couldn't stop employees smoking over here in most businesses as the unions would have a field day. As an ex smoker I also detest the habit. Fortunately neither my brother or the other guy that works for me on and off smoke. My son does but he has recently got another job so we are smoke free.