The Smoking Ban - A New Start for Workplace Health?
You have put up your No Smoking signs haven't you? The smoking ban is now upon us and all the work that you have done towards ensuring that your work places are compliant should at least keep you on the right side of the law. In addition though you might be in the 53% of employers (according to a survey by Manpower) who say that the new law has made them more aware of the health of their employees. You might even be in the 20% of surveyed employers who are providing advice on how to give up smoking or the 46% who are encouraging employees to live a healthier lifestyle.
The benefits of the smoking ban have mostly been focused around the improvements that will be experienced by non-smokers, both in the work place and in general enclosed public spaces. However, there has been well publicised enthusiasm from some smokers who think that the ban could provide them with an ideal opportunity to quit - this includes one of the team at HR Advantage! - and many employers are aware that smoking can lead to increased sickness within the workforce, and that smoking breaks can cause decreased productivity and resentment from non-smoking employees.
In response to this, some employees have put into place options for smokers to help them with giving up smoking, ranging from providing advice and information, to setting up support group, to allowing time during working hours for their employees to attend NHS run smoking cessation courses. Companies initially expected that there would be resentment to providing time off for smokers, but instead non-smoking colleagues saw that this would lead to a reduction in the number of smoking breaks and were actually positive towards the scheme.
So is it time to be more active on the health front? Some companies encourage their employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle by offering concessions on gym membership, some provide free fruit and others have introduced lifestyle counselling. Could more action be right for you?
If you have questions about the Smoking Ban, or want some information on how to help your employees give up smoking, or improve their health in other ways, contact hannah @hradvantage.co.uk or call 01404 42359.
