National Smoke-out Day!!!

[puffpattiduke]

Today is "National Smoke-Out Day" Is anyone that smokes going to quit today? This coming up thanksgiving will be my eleven year quitting smoking anniversary! Weird thing is that I still dream about it sometimes -- I work with someone that goes out into the back almost every 15 minutes and has a cigarette - so much productive time wasted and getting paid for it while I sit at my desk and work my a$$ off all day! :mad:
Good Luck to anyone that makes the effort to kick the nasty habit today!!!

[GreggFromJoisey]

Agreed Patti. Smokers at my job take advantage. Ironic how a thread about smoking started by "Puff" LOL :p

[puffpattiduke]

"puff" doesn't stand for cigarettes my friend!!! :cool:

[SHOELUVRSIS]

now wait a cottonpicking minute!
constant smoke breaks are not the smokers fault - its the managers/people
in charges business!
i have the same situation at my job i dont smoke but ya see
i go out once every hour with my girlfriends who do - i aint losing out of free paid time b/c i dont smoke! ;) "when in rome"

[love2sing]

now wait a cottonpicking minute!
constant smoke breaks are not the smokers fault - its the managers/people
in charges business!
i have the same situation at my job i dont smoke but ya see
i go out once every hour with my girlfriends who do - i aint losing out of free paid time b/c i dont smoke! ;) "when in rome"

Oh I see, you're a second hand smoker...interesting!

[puffpattiduke]

now wait a cottonpicking minute!
constant smoke breaks are not the smokers fault - its the managers/people
in charges business!

I agree w/ you that it's up to the managers etc. to enforce rules about that, but there is also a "common courtesy" factor that the smokers don't seem to care about regarding their fellow co-workers - why should they be entitled to goof off half of the day like that? I was a die-hard smoker (marlboro red) for 15 years before I quit, and back in those days, you were allowed to smoke in offices - I used to "pish-posh" and roll my eyes when non-smokers would "cough" and complain about the smoke - now times are different tho, smokers are the minority and now that I don't smoke, I realize how truly offensive it is (aside from being so unhealthy). The ultimate responsibility lies in the person that is doing the goofing off and taking advantage of the lack of upper management enforcing non-smoking rules.

[GuitarPLYR]

I agree w/ you that it's up to the managers etc. to enforce rules about that, but there is also a "common courtesy" factor that the smokers don't seem to care about regarding their fellow co-workers - why should they be entitled to goof off half of the day like that? I was a die-hard smoker (marlboro red) for 15 years before I quit, and back in those days, you were allowed to smoke in offices - I used to "pish-posh" and roll my eyes when non-smokers would "cough" and complain about the smoke - now times are different tho, smokers are the minority and now that I don't smoke, I realize how truly offensive it is (aside from being so unhealthy). The ultimate responsibility lies in the person that is doing the goofing off and taking advantage of the lack of upper management enforcing non-smoking rules.

You have a great advantage of having been on both sides, so you know how strongly smokers feel about non-smokers and vice versa.

The smoke breaks are ridiculous. I once worked for Nissan and they had two people who would go outside to smoke constantly. I really got fed up with it and one day came in and told them that I was going out for a smoke break. I then proceeded to take out a cigar and cut the end off. They both FREAKED!!! I told them that I would be back when I finished. It took about 45 minutes. The look on their faces were priceless!!!

[SHOELUVRSIS]

i was a smoker too, smokers are treated like leppers!
when i went to school they didnt shove down my throat how bad it was - EVERYONE smoked! these smoker pay taxes and vote (and pay tons of money to kill themselves) but no matter how many "cig breaks" they take i can never hold that against them, their addicts afterall - i pity them!
and since no one in my office sees that there is something wrong with letting them out as often as they choose - i dont get upset or pissed off,
i just join them! if i dont want to go outside i sign off my phone and chill
until they comeback. i work smart, not hard.

[GreggFromJoisey]

I'm getting a visual!!! mmmmm
"puff" doesn't stand for cigarettes my friend!!! :cool:

[puffpattiduke]

i pity them!

I have no pity for them - and I have no pity for people that say alchoholism is a "disease" - it's a f*cking addiction!!!!!! that affects other people besides themselves - :rolleyes:

[GreggFromJoisey]

Patti joins Sammy Hagar to sing "Both Sides Now" LOL

You have a great advantage of having been on both sides, so you know how strongly smokers feel about non-smokers and vice versa.

The smoke breaks are ridiculous. I once worked for Nissan and they had two people who would go outside to smoke constantly. I really got fed up with it and one day came in and told them that I was going out for a smoke break. I then proceeded to take out a cigar and cut the end off. They both FREAKED!!! I told them that I would be back when I finished. It took about 45 minutes. The look on their faces were priceless!!!

[GreggFromJoisey]

Now dont be dissing us addicts. I have a chocolate addiction. There are no 12 step groups for us. LOL
\ ;)
I have no pity for them - and I have no pity for people that say alchoholism is a "disease" - it's a f*cking addiction!!!!!! that affects other people besides themselves - :

[yleekiyote]

I forgot this comedians name, but I'm sure you heard him before. Anyway, I remember him telling a story about smokers and he goes off saying how it's a bad habit and all and mention that spitting is his bad habit, as he rips into his routine about smokers talking while they are smoking.

SMOKER: And how was your day? (Pooooooooof, blowing smoke towards him)
COMEDIAN: Not to bad (HHHHHHOOOCCCKKKK...PTUIEEEYYY back at smoker)

[mark]

Anybody for a White Owl?

One of these days, Were gonna getcha!

[GreggFromJoisey]

ylee, I'll bet it was Dennis Leary. He does a lot of routines involving cigarettes

I forgot this comedians name, but I'm sure you heard him before. Anyway, I remember him telling a story about smokers and he goes off saying how it's a bad habit and all and mention that spitting is his bad habit, as he rips into his routine about smokers talking while they are smoking.

SMOKER: And how was your day? (Pooooooooof, blowing smoke towards him)
COMEDIAN: Not to bad (HHHHHHOOOCCCKKKK...PTUIEEEYYY back at smoker)

[mark]

and coke!

[SHOELUVRSIS]

I have no pity for them - and I have no pity for people that say alchoholism is a "disease" - it's a f*cking addiction!!!!!! that affects other people besides themselves - :rolleyes:

i totally agree puff alcohol and cigs are the same they are not just addcitions, they are DECISIONS. if alcohol is fu*!?in up your life STOP DRINKING!
(but i still pity the weak-minded individual who cannot grasp the dangers
they are putting on themselves, nd continue to drink, smoke, shoot up whatever it may be!) - everything is possible through the mind!

[puffpattiduke]

you are completely right, Shoeluvrsis, I couldn't have said it better myself!

[love2sing]

I have to say in my lovely office, we get no break other than our lunch break and that is 1 hour. Until recently, I didn't even have the chance to go to the ladies room because we were so busy and no one ever wants to do my job. Front desk receptionist in a busy Dr's office. WhenI would say to my co-workers, I'm running to the bathroom, please watch the phones and the window. 99.9% of the time, I would come back to the phone ringing off the hook and a patient at the window and my 2 co-workers chit chatting about their children. This infuriates me to no end. Finally, they hired someone to assist me at the front desk full time. Thank God for this woman, she is a blessing.
As for smokers, we have one in the office,(a nurse, no less), and she doesn't take advantage of her habit. She goes out maybe twice a day and has a quick cigarette.
At a prior job of mine, we got a 15 minute break twice a day in addition to our lunch hour. If you were a smoker, you were only allowed to smoke when you got your break. You were not allowed to go out every time you desired a cigarette.
In all fairness to the smokers, and I abhor smoking, there are many of us who waste just as much time at work online in non-job related searches, as there are people who waste time smoking. We all have some bad habit.

[SHOELUVRSIS]

I have to say in my lovely office, we get no break other than our lunch break and that is 1 hour. Until recently, I didn't even have the chance to go to the ladies room because we were so busy and no one ever wants to do my job. Front desk receptionist in a busy Dr's office. WhenI would say to my co-workers, I'm running to the bathroom, please watch the phones and the window. 99.9% of the time, I would come back to the phone ringing off the hook and a patient at the window and my 2 co-workers chit chatting about their children. This infuriates me to no end. Finally, they hired someone to assist me at the front desk full time. Thank God for this woman, she is a blessing.
As for smokers, we have one in the office,(a nurse, no less), and she doesn't take advantage of her habit. She goes out maybe twice a day and has a quick cigarette.
At a prior job of mine, we got a 15 minute break twice a day in addition to our lunch hour. If you were a smoker, you were only allowed to smoke when you got your break. You were not allowed to go out every time you desired a cigarette.
In all fairness to the smokers, and I abhor smoking, there are many of us who waste just as much time at work online in non-job related searches, as there are people who waste time smoking. We all have some bad habit.


L2 i dont mean to upset you but it is AGAINST THE LAW that you do not get two 15 minute brakes and a lunch - so now not only do they take advantge of you but they take advantage further of you by breaking the law - keep that job hunt going!

[love2sing]

L2 i dont mean to upset you but it is AGAINST THE LAW that you do not get two 15 minute brakes and a lunch - so now not only do they take advantge of you but they take advantage further of you by breaking the law - keep that job hunt going!

You know Kel, I mentioned that exact thing in my office recently. I thought that was a labor law too. I was told that a 15 minute break twice a day was at the discretion of the office manager. I think I will have to investigate the labor dept and see exactly what the deal is. This is the only office I've worked in that didn't give 2 breaks a day, in addition to the lunch hour.

[rushtrader]

Only a handful of states require paid rest periods see http://www.dol.gov/esa/programs/whd/state/rest.htm for more info. Neither NY nor LA are on the list.

In fact while NY has a meal period requirement (30 mins for most day shift people), LA does not have one at all. http://www.dol.gov/esa/programs/whd/state/meal.htm Having an hour for lunch would be considered a commodity by many. If you had two 15-minute breaks, you would likely only have 30 mins for lunch.

It is amazing how many things people think are laws that are not, especially when it comes to employment. Most states (NY included) are employment-at-will states and short of the few discrimination statutes on the books, you can be fired at any time with no notice and with no pay due you, except for the time you have worked up to that point, unless you have an employment contract.

When I go in for a job, I make sure that I know what is expected of me in a day, number of days per week/month, number of days I can potentially work from home and so on. I know what the deal is with Medical insurance, both what is offered and how much I am expected to kick in. Same goes for reviews and bonuses. I find that rather than a turnoff, most interviewers find it refreshing that people are interested in more than just the pay rate, and many companies are glad that you think of the entire compensation package.

So, SHOELUVRSIS, I would do a little research before you go saying that something is against the law.

[love2sing]

Thanks for the 411 Warren. I too thought it was a law, but was told by a co-worker that it is not. Years ago I worked for a company, the hours were 8-5 with an hour for lunch and 2-15 minute breaks. The pay was minimum wage and there was no health benefits or sick days. Not sure about vacation time as I didn't stay there very long.
Having also worked in deli's and restaurants, there are no breaks or lunch hours. You are too busy giving the patrons a break.

I have been on countless job interviews for the last 2 months. I am being picky as I do have a job already. I am just looking for a better paying job with more challenging work. I interviewed at a company that wanted me in the worst way, however the health benefits were going to cost me $4,000.00 more a year for a family plan than I pay at my current job. (I have to admit that my medical benefits at my current job are inexpensive.) The good thing about this particular company was that the benefits started day one. I told them they would have to add $4000 to the salary in order for me to take the job. They were willing to do that, but I was not comfortable with a major difference of opinion between the office manager and the HR director who interviewed me consecutively. I thought, if they're having such a problem staying on the same page during the interview, what would happen when I had to answer to these 2 women?
I interviewed for another job and the benefits didn't kick in for 4 months, which would mean paying for the COBRA until they kicked in. Not affordable at all! I went on an interview in Manhattan last week n a Derm/Cosmotolgy office(same as I do now) and the hours were not conducive to my school schedule. They told me plenty about the job during the phone interview,(and I hate phone interviews),but neglected to mention hours. They knew I went to school at night and knew I worked Monday through Friday 9-5:30, so I think they could've given me a heads up about the one late night they had. But, I look at all these interviews as learning experiences.

[78 zebra man]

Life is like a box of chocolate's....

[rushtrader]

Keep interviewing while at your current job. There is no better bargaining chip for a company than to know that you are unemployed. I have been on both sides of the table many times.

Good luck with it!
RT

[love2sing]

Keep interviewing while at your current job. There is no better bargaining chip for a company than to know that you are unemployed. I have been on both sides of the table many times.

Good luck with it!
RT

Thanks, I am in no hurry to take the wrong job, that is for sure.

[GreggFromJoisey]

The problem, in my office at least, is the smokers take the 1 hour lunch and 2 fifteen minute breaks, as we all do, but on top of that will smoke.
Lets add 3 cigarettes, 5 minutes each, they are getting an extra 15 minutes a day, that the rest of us don't get, which doesn't seem like much, but add that up over a week, month, year, etc etc And we don't clock out for breaks so who's keeping track on a busy day?
:mad:
You know Kel, I mentioned that exact thing in my office recently. I thought that was a labor law too. I was told that a 15 minute break twice a day was at the discretion of the office manager. I think I will have to investigate the labor dept and see exactly what the deal is. This is the only office I've worked in that didn't give 2 breaks a day, in addition to the lunch hour.

[puffpattiduke]

man, this thread is stressing me out! somebody give me a cigarette!!! :p

[SHOELUVRSIS]

Thanks for the 411 Warren. I too thought it was a law, but was told by a co-worker that it is not. Years ago I worked for a company, the hours were 8-5 with an hour for lunch and 2-15 minute breaks. The pay was minimum wage and there was no health benefits or sick days. Not sure about vacation time as I didn't stay there very long.
Having also worked in deli's and restaurants, there are no breaks or lunch hours. You are too busy giving the patrons a break.

I have been on countless job interviews for the last 2 months. I am being picky as I do have a job already. I am just looking for a better paying job with more challenging work. I interviewed at a company that wanted me in the worst way, however the health benefits were going to cost me $4,000.00 more a year for a family plan than I pay at my current job. (I have to admit that my medical benefits at my current job are inexpensive.) The good thing about this particular company was that the benefits started day one. I told them they would have to add $4000 to the salary in order for me to take the job. They were willing to do that, but I was not comfortable with a major difference of opinion between the office manager and the HR director who interviewed me consecutively. I thought, if they're having such a problem staying on the same page during the interview, what would happen when I had to answer to these 2 women?
I interviewed for another job and the benefits didn't kick in for 4 months, which would mean paying for the COBRA until they kicked in. Not affordable at all! I went on an interview in Manhattan last week n a Derm/Cosmotolgy office(same as I do now) and the hours were not conducive to my school schedule. They told me plenty about the job during the phone interview,(and I hate phone interviews),but neglected to mention hours. They knew I went to school at night and knew I worked Monday through Friday 9-5:30, so I think they could've given me a heads up about the one late night they had. But, I look at all these interviews as learning experiences.

i wouldnt take a co-workers word for it (unless shes your shop steward) and contact your local labor board
about it just to be sure - cant hurt - might help :D

[SHOELUVRSIS]

The problem, in my office at least, is the smokers take the 1 hour lunch and 2 fifteen minute breaks, as we all do, but on top of that will smoke.
Lets add 3 cigarettes, 5 minutes each, they are getting an extra 15 minutes a day, that the rest of us don't get, which doesn't seem like much, but add that up over a week, month, year, etc etc And we don't clock out for breaks so who's keeping track on a busy day?


sounds like a good enough reason for me to light up! :eek: