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A Japanese Company Is Giving Nonsmokers Longer Vacations (fastcompany.com)

An anonymous reader shares a report: Marketing firm Piala introduced the new policy in September after nonsmokers complained that they were working more than their colleagues who smoked. The company's offices are reportedly on the 29th floor, meaning that popping out for a smoke break meant a solid 15 minutes away from work. Multiply that by several smoke breaks a day, and the hours start to add up, which began to tick off nonsmoking coworkers. A spokesman for the company told The Telegraph that one of those nonsmokers slipped a note in the company's suggestion box and the CEO agreed. Now nonsmokers are entitled to more vacation time, which the company hopes will encourage smokers to quit their filthy habit.

4 of 226 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Now how about healthcare? by Captain+Splendid · · Score: 5, Informative

    If this idea offends you

    LOL, charging smokers more for health/life insurance has been SOP in the industry for decades, and this guy's getting all aggro over his misconception of it.

    --
    Linux, you magnificent bastard, I read the fucking manual!
  2. "Quit their filthy habit"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I, for one, am sick of this propaganda.

    If you want to illegalize it, fine. But I'm tired of the constant ads for "TRUTH" (now going all the way to claim that smoking is racist) all the while I'm counter propagandized (by some of the same companies) about how pot smoking is good for you and should be legalized.

    And I say this as a non-smoker!

    Are we going to give similar breaks to single employees without children and how great that is?
    Are we going to count those who take 5 coffee breaks a day?!
    How about those gym nuts that disappear for an hour a day (not including lunch) to go for a run and promise they'll make the time up later?!
    Spare me your sanctimonious bs.

  3. That's great and all ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, good for the Japanese, bully for them.

    But honestly, when I step out for a smoke I step out with one or two of my co-workers, we actively discuss what we're working on and solve some problems, and then go back at it.

    Going out for a smoke doesn't necessarily mean you aren't working. Sometimes, you are actually working the whole time. I can't tell you how many times I've helped a co-worker sort out how to do something (or he helped me) while having a smoke.

    Just because I'm not typing doesn't mean I'm not working.

    It simply may not be true that you're doing less work -- in fact, I regularly see co-workers spend more time on Facebook or texting or what have you than I spend smoking every day. The difference being is I'm more likely to still be working while I'm smoking.

    Where I'm actively thinking doesn't change that I am actually doing it.

  4. Re:Now how about healthcare? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Smokers die young. Their lifetime healthcare costs are _lower_. Sense health care after age 65 is highly subsidised, we want _more_ smokers.

    Not actually the case.

    Yes it is.