Sheriff Won't Hire Smokers

San Mateo Daily Journal ^ | March 1, 2004 | Dana Yates

[at bay]

Rising worker’s compensation and health care cost is prompting San Mateo County Sheriff Don Horsley to put a ban on hiring smokers.

“If your lifestyle contributes to a disability, I’m sorry about that. But I don’t think the taxpayers should pay.” said Horsley.

Since smoking is known to cause numerous health problems, Horsley said the decision to not hire smokers is an economical move that could save the county a lot of money in workers’ compensation costs each year.

The idea came to him after the Sheriff’s Department had to settle a $90,000 workers’ compensation claim with a retired employee. The retiree developed lung cancer…..

[Pahuanui]

Care to offer an explanation why?

About which one? The sexual orientation bit or the drinking/smoking issue?

[Gabz]

I used to have a sign that said "drugs don't work here". That includes tobacco.

No coffee pot or soda machine either, I presume?? And all of your employees are 100% teatotalers also??? And none ever eat chocolate, or tomatoes or eggplant? After all, alcohol and caffeine are as much drugs as nicotine.

[dallasgop]

Personally for me, I do not indulge. The sign referenced illegal drugs. Our clients require us to sometimes be onsite, because their environment is industrial in nature and hazardous their and our insurance carriers do require random drug screenings. The twice yearly surprise screenings help to keep our insurance premiums low. I am proud to say that in the last 14 years of drug screening we have screened we have never had a positive drug test for an employee.
Since all of our positions require at least a 4 year degree, we have a smaller pool of drug\tobacco users to screen out during the screening and interviewing process.

[realpatriot71]

Your injecting your religious or personal philosophy into what should an arm's length, professional and science-based relationship diminishes your authority.

I see . . . you have a problem with me telling people that smoking is bad for them at that they should quit as soon as possible. That's not "injecting anything" it's stating the truth.

[Gabz]

Cigarettes are NOT good for you -

No one here has said anything different. What's your problem?

Smoking is the single biggest controlable factor affecting health - in other words - if people would just quit smoking their symptoms would recede.

Pardon me while I finish laughing at your obvious swallowing of the Koolaid.

The relationship between smoking and emphysema should give any smoker pause - you DON'T get better.

Gee, how come I know so many people with emphysema that have never smoked and no smoker I know has any problems with it? Could it have something to do with the fact that most people have some form of it practically since birth and it just surfaces in some people, smoker or non?

[dallasgop]

But we do allow coffee and we do have a coffee maker, I don't care for it myself. I do not each chocolate, or drink caffeinated drinks. We are primarily concerned with addictive and illegal drugs. User's of both demonstrate certain personality and judgmental traits that myself and the partners agree are not compatible with our firm.

[Madame Dufarge]

I see . . . you have a problem with me telling people that smoking is bad for them at that they should quit as soon as possible. That's not "injecting anything" it's stating the truth.

I see...you have a reading comprehension problem.

I believe I said that it's your professional obligation to inform patients that smoking might be detrimental to their health. Then you've discharged your professional obligation.

Your quoting scripture to them is "injecting."

Understand?

[Gabz]

If I was able to work anywhere I chose to - working for you would definitely be my first choice!!!!!!

[realpatriot71]

You don't want to pay the alleged costs of smokers and I don't want to pay the definite costs of micromanaging people that have destroyed the immune systems of their children.

Hmmm, interesting you'd have a problem with giving health care to kids who have no control over their health? Smokers have control over whether they smoke or not, and this has nothing whatsoever to do with SHS.

[Hot Tabasco]

I asked if I could sit in it, sure was the reply. Once inside I was able to confirm the car is driven by a smoker. The stink gives it away. No second interview for that person.

I just couldn't let this one get away! LOL!

So tell me, what did you do to the guy who didn't have cigarette butts in his ashtray, empty packs on the floor or the odor of smoke in his care? Follow him home to see if maybe he had cigarettes in his pocket and was smoking on the way? LOL!

Did you post a private detective outside his house to see if maybe he was smoking inside his home???? ROFLMAO!

Who was your poor employee you forced to go thru the applicants garbage to see if maybe there were cigarette butts in there? LOL, ROFLMAO!!@!!

Oh boy, you are too much!!!!!

sorry pal but with your anal tendencies I am surprised you still have a business! LOL

Sheesh, lets smell an applicant's car...... I'm not even going to follow up with a risque comment to that! ROFLMAO!!!!

I'm definitely bookmarking this thread and your response to use in future arguments against the mindless rants of nico-nazi's!

Truth is stranger than fiction...... LOL!!!

[Gabz]

I love it when you bible quoting thumpers attempt to impose your scriptures on those who do not conform to your own twisted ideals of what the rest of us should or shouldn't do as quoted by "realpatriot71"

Great comeback, but the above is the best line and thus needs repeating.

And on that note, I think I'll go get another beer and light a cigarette!

[Madame Dufarge]

Hmmm, interesting you'd have a problem with giving health care to kids who have no control over their health? Smokers have control over whether they smoke or not, and this has nothing whatsoever to do with SHS.

Hmm, interesting, if this has nothing to do with SHS, then why would the "kids" be harmed in any way?

[realpatriot71]

If you stand by your posted scripture then lets hear you decry the consumption of alcohol, the consumption of beef and the increasing numbers of atmospheric poluting SUV's......For that matter the increasing numbers of automobiles in general!

Alcohol is not good for you, and being drunk is a sin, "beef" isn't bad for you, it's too much beef that's unhealthy, and there is nothing I can personally do about SUVs.

I love it when you bible quoting thumpers attempt to impose your scriptures on those who do not conform to your own twisted ideals of what the rest of us should or shouldn't do

I didn't try to "impose" scriptures on anyone. Smoking is NOT healthy, belief and faith have nothing do with that objective point. I was merely pointing out that smoking is immoral, a sin. I'm not trying to stop you, merely calling a spade a spade. If you don't like that, it's not my fault nor my faith's.

Enjoy your smokes!

[Gabz]

None of your employees or partners drink caffeine laden beverages, alcoholic beverages or eat anything containing caffeine, nicotine or alchol.....right????

You are the one stating your employees must agree to the drug free lifestyle.

[dallasgop]

Glad you enjoyed it, Good luck with your call center job. :-)

[Madame Dufarge]

it's not my fault nor my faith's.

Do you want to be a doctor, or a man of the cloth?

I think it's important that your patients know that the two are melded.

[dallasgop]

Gasp... see post #143.

[Gabz]

You didn't answer my question.

[realpatriot71]

Your quoting scripture to them is "injecting."

I would not mention scripture in the physician/patient relationship unless the patient had let me know that was what he was interested in. I believe it is my obligation to help people in matters spiritual as well as physical, if they are so inclined. For some patients, they may never know that I'll be praying for them, religion will never be mentioned. Faith is an important part of integrative patient care, and for some patients - absence thereof is the correct response. I see myself as offering extra servies at no extra charge for those who are interested.

[realpatriot71]

Hmm, interesting, if this has nothing to do with SHS, then why would the "kids" be harmed in any way?

I never said kids would be harmed by SHS - you need to get over it - I've never been talking about SHS.