Posted on 09/30/2006 8:41:28 AM PDT by SheLion
GRAND RAPIDS -- Spectrum Health and Saint Mary's Health Care will require all their employees to not use tobacco at any time during their work shift beginning January 1.
The staffs of both hospitals will need to arrive without smelling of smoke, and they can't use any tobacco products until they leave hospital property after their shift.
Metro Health is also joining in the Smoke-Free Work Day Every Day campaign.
In 2003, the Grand Rapids hospitals became the first in the country to jointly declare their hospital campuses smoke-free. Today, more than 30 Michigan hospitals have smoke-free campuses.
This takes it a step further.
The three hospitals are working together to help employees quit the habit between now and the first of the year. The hospitals said the main reason for making this decision was to improve patient care.
"Everyday our staff tell patients who use tobacco to quit," said Bill Rietscha, Vice President of Facilities for Spectrum Health. "We can't say that with credibility while smelling of tobacco ourselves."
Tom Karel, the Vice President of Human Resources for Saint Mary's, echoed that. "We have delivered this message to each person who walks in a door at Saint Mary's, and this is the next step in a long term effort to ensure the health of our employees, patients, visitors and our entire community."
Among the other reasons the hospitals cited were the health risks to their employees and the reduced productivity related to smoking.
Not everyone is thrilled with the plan. Midge Birdsall has worked in health care for more than 30 years. She knows smoking isn't good for her, but she said the decision to quit should be hers and hers alone.
"I'm not doing something illegal so I have a problem with them telling me how to run my lifestyle when it's not affecting my work," she said. "I'm not sure how they can tell me I can't go off campus on my break. I guess I'll find out January 1."
24 Hour News 8 talked with a local labor law attorney who said the hospitals can fire employees who disobey the rules.
It's a growing trend. In January 2005, KVCC banned smoking for all new full-time employees. Lansing-based Weyco, a company that administers health benefits, also went smoke-free. Several employees left who refused to take a test to determine if they're using tobacco.
I can't believe he said that. I just about fell off my chair. Sometimes someone else in the house will step in and use the name. If you know what I mean.
I know. It's going to be rough. Next will be a nicotine test for them. We all know the end game here...........force them all to quit or hit the door. What a shame.
We were just old not to wear perfume, that we were expected to practice good hygiene, not wear anything with a strong odor. No rules on this though, although I know of cases where parents have complained or asked for a different nurse when their nurse wore perfume.
Next on the list - anyone seen going to McDonalds & eating junk food will be fired!!
You two might like this:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0519762/quotes
I submitted it myself. You don't hear lines like these anymore.
Raising cigarette taxes is a very bad idea.
You get it! Like I said, the lawmakers say they want smoke free, yet they can't balance a state budget without cigarette tax dollars.
When enough people quit or start rolling their own, that tax dollar is going to dwindle. Guess who they will go after next?
Yeah.
Nothing these jack-boot licking nanny statists say anymore surprises me.
But, I'm gonna give as good as I get.
Thanks! I guess I don't really mind the smoking ban because I know the intent is to help the kids. There is not an evil agenda, just a desire to improve the quality of care and shorten the recovery time of the patients.
Randall, isn't that something? First I have heard of this!
Even Marlboro's, which are about the most expensive of the major brands can be found for $25 a carton.
Because I live so close to the state line, the vast majority of cars in the parking lots of the cig outlets are from out of state.
That's outstanding! Now, that's just about what cigarettes SHOULD cost. I wouldn't mind that at all!
I've seen 'em, but I thought it was another one of the bad and slow mash-and-shove plastic junk I've tried before. I'll have to get one of these babies with my next bag purchase.
I'll trust a FReeper testimonial over most others.
I wonder if ONE beer is allowed during lunch.
I wonder if administrators are allowed their two martini lunch.
Wonder if they know that they just moved the prices on nurses.
Hahaaaaaaaaa Good one!
That's it. Most of them think that we should cower and not say a word. Well, those days are over.
Great cartoon. I hadn't seen that one. It really tells it like it is. Thanks!
The City of Grand Rapids isn't red, having gone something like 55-45 for Kerry in 2004. And I don't think the city commission, now considering the business smoking ban, is trying to help business with productivity issues.
I agree. It's not the state's ruling, it's private corporations.
My son is a college student and works at Outback. He often comments on how much less work the smoking employees do "because they are always taking smoke breaks."
Hate to say this because I know many of you are smokers, but drive by any office or factory and look at people taking "smoke breaks" while their fellow employees are working.
You would enjoy the Upper Peninsula. The Yoopers refer to people South of the Mackinac Bridge as trolls.
The bridge itself has some history as well...
http://www.b-47.com/Stories/lappo/lappo.html
"More hard news for smokers
Hopefully, more hard news for Granholm."
As I Michigan conservative, I totally oppose Granholm. But this decision has nothing to do with the state. It's private corporations making decisions regarding employees as corporations have done for centuries.
My guess is they did so for a variety of reasons: 1) To provide a more pleasant atmosphere for patients (their customers) and because smokers are less productive (30 minutes per shift for smoke breaks), missing more time because of illness, etc.
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