need advice

[mavislb]

I work in a small family-owned plant with 10 employees + 3 full-time family members. I've been here for 15 years. When I started smoking in the plant was allowed. There were several of us that were bothered by this but it was allowed when we started so we tolerated it. About 2-3 years ago a ban was put in place and they could only smoke on their breaks.

Production is really down and jobs are not getting done. There are 4 (all pressmen - the only pressmen) who smoke. These 4 take their 15 minute + breaks 2 xs or more a day. None of the rest of us take any breaks at all. With production way down the manager has decided to allow these 4 to start smoking at their presses again and not give them breaks. This all takes place downstairs.

I work upstairs but with the ventilation system we have the smoke all comes right up the lift shaft and is pulled directly across my desk. It was bad Monday, yesterday was worse and today it is really bad. My eyes are starting to burn. I'm wondering if there is anything I can do about this situation short of quitting or making a scene. Jobs aren't available in this small town - at least for the pay I am getting now. And I did put up with it for 10+ years when I started. It's just that now I've gotten so used to it being clean air that I really notice it. It was said it is to be temporary (3-6 months) but we'll see. That's been said about other things and they haven't been done yet in 1+ years. Would it be wrong to ask to move my desk? Any other suggestions?

[Paully_44]

Is smoking indoors still allowed there?

If it is not illegal to smoke indoors in a public place, I am not sure what legal recourse you would have except for requesting to move to a different location.

[mavislb]

Smoking is allowed in small businesses. There are even some restaurants albeit few and far between that allow it. Moving would be difficult because it would involve moving the computer and it would only be about 10 feet further from the air currents.

[beckrl]

Would it be wrong to ask to move my desk? Any other suggestions

That would be what I would do first, to see if you can move the desk, If they ask why?; then be forth coming with them about the smoke.

I understand about things taking along time to change.
It would seem after 15 years you would have some pull, with making some suggesting, but maybe not.

Again I can relate, I have to play like it's their idea before things change in the way I think they should be.

My work place where at one time accomodating an outside smoking area, but over time with many smokers not cleaning up after themselves, it became the new policy of non-smoking and the managament team enforces this policy.

[mavislb]

You should see our parking lot. It's covered with butts. No place is provided for people to throw them away and they are too lazy? to find a place themselves. They just throw them on the ground. There is a break room in the back of the warehouse with a fan and when the weather is bad you can hardly see through the glass on the door. It's really disgusting! I have mentioned casually how bad the smoke is today and was just told that it's no different than it was a few years back and that it will only be temporary. This is the only place I am exposed to smoke. There is no place I go that it is allowed or practiced. And I can really notice it having been free from it for a few years.

[dolfan]

Do all the pressmen take smoke breaks together? Gripes me good, though. Smokers hold you hostage on cig breaks. Seems we can't hire anyone that doesn't smoke. Crazy. I just shake my head. They start 'em smoking at age 8 in Lawrence County, Alabama. Never fails from a cashier: "Hey, Tim, can I smoke a cigarette right quick while you're here?" "Yeah, go ahead." If not, its all pouty and backbiting, etc. It is THE one thing we tolerate because we have learned that it is about the only thing that will absolutely keep them from having a "conniption fit". We try to limit them to once every 2 hours, but I know they do it more often when we're not there. It is a productivity killer, no doubt. As libertarian as I am about these issues, I can see where we'd be helped by a local ordinance banning smoking in the workplace in Moulton, AL. We won't get one, of course, because half the city government smokes. We don't let employees smoke in the store though; they do have to go outside and freeze or sweat. Weather extremes help a little, but not much. Customers smoke in the store, but way, way fewer than when we first got there 3 years ago.

My best recommendation is get an air purifier and plug it in near you.

[MacUser]

I'm sorry to hear this as it really does nasty with me also.
Lord we default to you.. please make a way in this situation... Amen.

[fezzik]

I think the air purifier idea is a good one. Moving the desk is also something I would do. Every little bit helps when it comes to the smoke. It makes my eyes water and I get snot nosed...must be allergic.

At a former employer there was always a large number of people outside my window who smoked. I could always smell it coming in through the cracks. I started a small group of non-smokers who would gather outside another door and our "smoke" break would involve sharing some peppermint patties for 10 minutes or so every couple of hours. It brought a light to the situation and new break rules were drafted making break time not count toward the eight hour work day. It cut back some of the smoking.