You must have missed the part where smoking employees actually cost him more money.
I see your point but frankly insurance premiums "paid for" by the employer aren't; they're 100% tax deductable on the employers part and premium payments were only implemented originally because of wage and price control on pay, otherwise it was money that would be paid to the employee.
Probably the wrong thread to post it in but IMO one of the problems with medical care and health insurance is that few realize how much it costs because, well, because they think it's a free entitlement.
I trust and respect my employees and they get told right off the get go that I do no provide them medical. I give them what I'd pay for the premium plus 15% and tell them that I don't know their needs better than they do.
If they lead an "unhealthy" lifestyle it comes out of their pocket because other than coming to work drunk or stoned it's none of my business. I ain't their mommy, I ain't their daddy and I'm sure not their god.
Hopefully not too far off topic, but I'm pretty convinced that employer paid health insurance is part of our current problem.
"You must have missed the part where smoking employees actually cost him more money."
Actually that is his claim, but it is not true. One of the fired employees was not even part of the insurance plan he offered. That employee was part of their spouses health plan and cost Weyco nothing for coverage. That leads to the conclusion that that particular smoker cost his company less! As a result, the new hire that will replace this particular smoker will cost him a premium.
That said, it is his private company and he should be able to descriminate as he sees fit. All business owners are free to make decisions like this that will close off a major part of the market to their business. He publicly stated he would like to become a benefits provider for the big 3 US auto manufacturers. With this move, he has completely shut out that market.