Thirty-three studies found that smokers took, on average, 31 percent more sick leave than their non-smoking co-workers. “We found solid evidence that smoking increases both the risk and the number of days of sickness absence,” the study concluded.
Another burden for the employer in this situation is the so-called presenteeism. This means that the employee is present at work, but his actions are less effective. This may be caused by, among others: poor well-being or poor physical condition. In this regard, the benefitnews.com website also refers to research from 2020, which showed that this phenomenon was most often caused by tobacco smoking (second place was excessive alcohol consumption). This is due, for example, to the fact that the smoker takes breaks more often, etc.
Smoking cigarettes at work. The company granted non-smokers additional days off
A few years ago, this situation was the source of a conflict in a Japanese marketing company called Piala. According to “Business Insider”, over 30 percent of people employed there smoked cigarettes. These non-smokers were fed up with their colleagues constantly taking breaks – which meant they had to work harder.
It started with one of them sending a complaint to the company’s mailbox and describing the situation. It was pointed out that frequent smoking breaks negatively affect the team’s work productivity.
Our CEO saw and agreed with this comment, so we’re giving non-smokers extra time off to compensate
said company spokesman Hirotaka Matsushima, quoted by the portal. The company accepted the complaint and changed its paid leave policy. Since then, non-smokers have been entitled to six more days off than their smoking colleagues – as compensation for longer working hours.
Sources: https://www.sjweh.fi/Businessinsider.com.pl/benefitnews.com
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
