Here's one from my backyrad... A hospital in metro Atlanta has adopted a hiring policy to not employ anyone that smokes. Heated debate on this one, of course. Seems things like this have coined a new term... "Lifestyle Discrimination".
http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=146113&catid=40
GWINNETT COUNTY, GA -- Gwinnett Medical Center is in the business of good health. And that's why they will no longer hire anybody who smokes.
"As a healthcare provider, we feel it's important that we practice what we preach," said Steve Nadeau, the hospital's human resources executive. By promoting its brand, the hospital is also protecting its patients from other health issues like second-hand smoke. But the decision has lit a fire under the long smoldering controversy on smokers' rights.
"It's a little bit of a stretch for an employer to dig that far into your personal life," said Eston Hood, as he puffed a cigar with friends. "Generally when you start talking about employment, you're talking about coming to work, being able to perform at a high level."
At the Highland Cigar Company in Atlanta's Inman Park, the debate filled the air as thick as the smoke itself. "I don't think it's fair," said Robert Lockett. "It has some discriminatory ramifications when you talk about prohibiting someone from earning an income and providing for their family because of a personal habit that's non-detrimental to them doing their job." Many at this tony neighborhood smoking den questioned what other indulgences might fall like the dominoes they play here if companies have the right to police your lifestyle. "You might as well deny people employment because they eat too much fatty food, because they drink too much caffeine," added Arthur Withers.
Across town at Piedmont Park even the health conscious questioned the benefit of the employment ban.
"If they're not [smoking] in front of people or even patients, I don't think that should be a basis of hiring or firing," said jogger Megan Herak. Jason Weidart agreed. "If they're doing it at their house I don't see a problem with it. But definitely I think smoking should not be around the hospital any way shape or form."
Labor attorney Catherine Banich says the hospital's rule is not illegal. At least not in Georgia. The ACLU refers to such employment rules as "lifestyle discrimination." And thousands of companies across the country practice it.
Critics say the real question is where does it end?
They add that simple choices such asdriving to work, jogging, bike riding, and sun-bathing can be dangerous. So should people who do those things be banned from working as well?
http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=146113&catid=40
GWINNETT COUNTY, GA -- Gwinnett Medical Center is in the business of good health. And that's why they will no longer hire anybody who smokes.
"As a healthcare provider, we feel it's important that we practice what we preach," said Steve Nadeau, the hospital's human resources executive. By promoting its brand, the hospital is also protecting its patients from other health issues like second-hand smoke. But the decision has lit a fire under the long smoldering controversy on smokers' rights.
"It's a little bit of a stretch for an employer to dig that far into your personal life," said Eston Hood, as he puffed a cigar with friends. "Generally when you start talking about employment, you're talking about coming to work, being able to perform at a high level."
At the Highland Cigar Company in Atlanta's Inman Park, the debate filled the air as thick as the smoke itself. "I don't think it's fair," said Robert Lockett. "It has some discriminatory ramifications when you talk about prohibiting someone from earning an income and providing for their family because of a personal habit that's non-detrimental to them doing their job." Many at this tony neighborhood smoking den questioned what other indulgences might fall like the dominoes they play here if companies have the right to police your lifestyle. "You might as well deny people employment because they eat too much fatty food, because they drink too much caffeine," added Arthur Withers.
Across town at Piedmont Park even the health conscious questioned the benefit of the employment ban.
"If they're not [smoking] in front of people or even patients, I don't think that should be a basis of hiring or firing," said jogger Megan Herak. Jason Weidart agreed. "If they're doing it at their house I don't see a problem with it. But definitely I think smoking should not be around the hospital any way shape or form."
Labor attorney Catherine Banich says the hospital's rule is not illegal. At least not in Georgia. The ACLU refers to such employment rules as "lifestyle discrimination." And thousands of companies across the country practice it.
Critics say the real question is where does it end?
They add that simple choices such asdriving to work, jogging, bike riding, and sun-bathing can be dangerous. So should people who do those things be banned from working as well?
