Frequent Smoke Breaks...

[Gulzakar]

I am one of those folks who take frequent smoke breaks. Yes, one of those dirty folks who are lazy, unproductive, and have little regard for my health.

Ok, not quite. I'm not lazy, my work is always complete, on time, and accurate. I don't create any problems, I'm always offering to help on projects. I'm willing to take extra steps needed...All in all, I'm a good employee.

But, I do smoke... sue me. Actually, I make it a point to walk around the corner of the building to a) stay out of the way of others and b) avoid any lectures about smoking.

I am aware it's bad for me, at no point do I confuse this for a healthy activity.

Where is this going?

I had my semi-annual review, I did well, got a raise, and in the very end, I get the :

"There are people mentioning your smoke breaks, this is not a reprimand, but I want you to be aware of the social implications". Something to this effect.

I think to myself, "why is this a concern of others?" Is it because I manage my time well? Is it because they are always scurrying about?

I go out of the way to steer clear of people while I do this. It confuses me. What's the difference between what I do and when all the women in my department are online or cackling on the phone to whomever. I didn't say anything to my manager, I just said "point taken, I'll make an effort to stop".

What could I do? I'm salaried, so in reality, as long as my job is done they don't need to bother me. I guess it is what it is.

Time to quit. Honestly, 80% of my smoking is at work.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Gulzakar
I had my semi-annual review, I did well, got a raise, and in the very end, I get the :

"There are people mentioning your smoke breaks, this is not a reprimand, but I want you to be aware of the social implications". Something to this effect.

"Where is this going?"

vet me zee your papers.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Do your job you slacker.

- M4H

 

[leftyman]

I miss smoke breaks on the company dime.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Gulzakar
I think to myself, "why is this a concern of others?"

Because they are nosy and live unfulfilling lives.

 

[Kelvrick]

Get back to work!

 

[imported_Tick]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Gulzakar
I had my semi-annual review, I did well, got a raise, and in the very end, I get the :

"There are people mentioning your smoke breaks, this is not a reprimand, but I want you to be aware of the social implications". Something to this effect.

"Where is this going?"

vet me zee your papers.

You do not need to see hees papers! Hee haz spesial clearence!

 

[edro]

Please keep smoking.

Us non smokers use you smokers' breaks as the reason why we take other breaks.

"Well, smokers get breaks, so we figured we could take a non-smoking break." It works.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Gulzakar
I had my semi-annual review, I did well, got a raise, and in the very end, I get the :

"There are people mentioning your smoke breaks, this is not a reprimand, but I want you to be aware of the social implications". Something to this effect.

"Where is this going?"

vet me zee your papers.

Your paperz, vey are out of order.

 

[buck]

As much as I don't like smokers and as jealous as I am that they get more breaks. I do think that sounds like BS, if it's not a reprimand, don't worry about it.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: Gulzakar
...I want you to be aware of the social implications". Something to this effect.

i wonder what that means

maybe he thinks you'll end up in jail if smoking is made illegal

 

[erub]

Maybe people don't like you coming back into work stinking like high-heaven, especially when you walk by and your stink meanders into their work area

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Gulzakar
I had my semi-annual review, I did well, got a raise, and in the very end, I get the :

"There are people mentioning your smoke breaks, this is not a reprimand, but I want you to be aware of the social implications". Something to this effect.

"Where is this going?"

vet me zee your papers.

Your paperz, vey are out of order.

It's "zey". You must have flunked out of Gestapo 101

 

[BooGiMaN]

i would have asked him to explain what he meant exactly..

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: buck
As much as I don't like smokers and as jealous as I am that they get more breaks. I do think that sounds like BS, if it's not a reprimand, don't worry about it.

They're not entitled to any more breaks than you are. Take more breaks if you want. If someone complains, point out the hypocrisy. Then the smokers will be told to take fewer breaks and they'll silently plot against you

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: loup garou

Originally posted by: Gulzakar
I think to myself, "why is this a concern of others?"

Because they are nosy and live unfulfilling lives.

that and they think that if you can take a smoke break every hour they should be able to break every hour too... the office manager here did the same to me when i first started, but in all reality she was taking a 15 min (20 by the time she got her ass off the chair, took a break and got back to her desk) in the morning, an hour lunch and 15 in the afternoon. i take a 5 min break every hour and a half, making my time away from my job way less than hers. the owner told her to stop paying attention to others daily routines and get her work done. as long as we get our stuff done, he doesnt care if we smoke every hour or even just take a break for 5 min every hour and walk around. may not be the "social implications" of the actual smoking he is talking about, it may be the perception that you take too many breaks adopted by other employees. if they feel youre getting more than they are, it will cause dissention in the ranks. and they wont invite you to happy hour for free wings and papas

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: buck
As much as I don't like smokers and as jealous as I am that they get more breaks. I do think that sounds like BS, if it's not a reprimand, don't worry about it.

how is 2 or 3 separate 5 minute breaks in the same period you take one 15 minute break more?

 

[soulcougher73]

I think a lot of the problem lies in the fact if non smokers were to go stand outside in a group and talk like smokers do, it wouldnt fly. It would be looked at as a waste of time.

And smokers also do all the other little breaks non smokers do as well. The phone calls, the standing around chatting about nothing

 

[Patt]

It annoys me that a couple of people in my department take a 5-10 minute break every hour or so for a smoke break, then come to our meetings smelling like the pub the morning after. However ... unless it directly affects my work I wouldn't ever bring it up to management ... other employees doing something I consider slacking is none of my business. Much as I'd expect no one to go to my supervisor if they saw me, say neffing on ATOT

 

[Turin39789]

A) He's Salary, so the breaks should'nt matter at all


B) Are you going to quit smoking or the job?

 

[MisterJackson]

I'm so glad I work for myself. I can smoke as much or as little as I want.

 

[j00fek]

i would ask why

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Get back to work!

Yeah and stop smoking.

 

[jupiter57]

Originally posted by: Gulzakar
I am one of those folks who take frequent smoke breaks. Yes, one of those dirty folks who are lazy, unproductive, and have little regard for my health.

Ok, not quite. I'm not lazy, my work is always complete, on time, and accurate. I don't create any problems, I'm always offering to help on projects. I'm willing to take extra steps needed...All in all, I'm a good employee.

But, I do smoke... sue me. Actually, I make it a point to walk around the corner of the building to a) stay out of the way of others and b) avoid any lectures about smoking.

I too, am one of the conscientious smokers.
I am always respectful of non-smokers, so much so that even though the owner of our company smokes in his office, I still will not smoke in the building, period.
I always avoid smoking near those who do not smoke, even when they say they don't mind.

As for taking frequent breaks for smoking, that's not an issue for me since I work in the field mostly, in my own personal office trailer. But when I am at the home office, I take only smoke breaks, no scheduled twice daily breaks nor lunch breaks. I feel I actually spend less time smoking than others do on their "regular"breaks.
BTW, I'm salaried, so my 50+ hour work weeks surely more than make up for these breaks!

Just had to add my $.02

 

[Gulzakar]

I guess I should clarify.

I should quit smoking, not the job.

I take MAYBE 5 minutes. I'm not a social smoker. I usually take about a 15-20 minute lunch, then come back to the desk.

As far as stinking?

1) If I have am meeting coming up, I give myself 1 hour of grace so I don't smell.

2) A good way to get the stink off? Wash your hands and face AND make certain you role your sleeves up. The billowing smoke is caught on the sleeves. It's easier to wash your hands and forearm rather than the clothes. It's quite effective.

3) If I'm wearing a jacket, I'll take it off when I smoke.

Hoenstly, I'm pretty good about it. I NEVER smoke if I know I'm going to be placed next to someone in a meeting, not to mention our cubicles are spacey and the ceiling is about 30 feet tall (old Pixar warehouse).

My co-worker was surprised that I smoked when she found out.

I'm not trying to justify it, but rather, I'm trying to make sense of the concern.