[K C Muffin]

Wordie - I see your point. We're a smallish office, but over half the folks smoke. We took a look at the numbers. The non smokers were putting out 'X' more work. Because they were either at their desk all day or made a quick walk to the restrooms, maybe had a short chat with a co-worker and were back to work. The smokers, on the other hand, one got up and put her coat on, then went to the next and waited while she put her coat on, till there were all five going outside. Now, in our office, outside is through two different departments (where they gather more smokers) and down a long flight of stairs and out the back door. Then they're smoking at least 2 cigs per break, neither of them quickly. Talk about solving world hunger!

So, we made a new rule. Smokers, or anyone who wanted to break for a longer period of time, must be there at 8:00 (our normal start time is 8:30). That one is hard to enforce, as the one that smokes the most is one of the VP's and she's rarely in before 9. The thing is, it's not fair to the nonsmokers, who always turn out 25% more work. (except my newbie - he is always there after 5 and puts out equal work to the nonsmokers). We've decided to offer a smoking cessation program free of charge in the new year. Then those that still don't quit will be paying 10% more for their health insurance, because we've been told our health insurance is uprated by 10% due to the number of smokers. There's no free lunch, folks.