XOXO

MichelleW Posted: Oct 15, 2003 10:21 AM

.....

Nanjoe Posted: Oct 15, 2003 10:30 AM

Re: Smoking Breaks

I usually go once every 1 1/2- 2 hours for maybe 4 minutes...sometimes less, sometimes more. But I work in a small company and both bosses smoke....so they are pretty good with letting us go. They do not allow you to go out with anyone else. If we want to smoke, we must go alone.

Jan05Bride Posted: Oct 15, 2003 10:43 AM

Re: Smoking Breaks

I go once in the morning (10:15) and once in the afternoon (3:00) and that's it. I think that's a fair amount.

Marcela1654 Posted: Oct 15, 2003 10:49 AM

Re: Smoking Breaks

Depends...If I'm really busy, I won't go. If I'm not busy, I go out every 2hrs or 2.5 hrs for about 5 mins. They don't mind if we go if it's not busy.

KarenK122 Posted: Oct 15, 2003 10:59 AM

Re: Smoking Breaks

I think it really depends on how busy she is and if she has to get someone to cover for her every time she leaves her desk.

On the average we go out once mid morning, once at lunchtime and once in mid afternoon. We are usually out for about 5 minutes or so. If it is slow though and a nice day we sometimes get 'lost' for up to 15 minutes. It really depends on the day.

Our rule of thumb is if people notice you going out to smoke then your doing it too often : ).

yabbobay Posted: Oct 15, 2003 11:09 AM

Re: Smoking Breaks

remember employees are allowed 15 min break for every 4 hours worked...so they can break that up into 5 min segments...as long as they are not taking their coffee breaks in addition

jenny2penny Posted: Oct 15, 2003 11:41 AM

Re: Smoking Breaks

That is right, anyone is allowed breaks during their 8 hours work day, what they want to use them for is up to them. But I don't think it's fair if they take 'smoke breaks' on top of regular 'coffee breaks'

Marcela1654 Posted: Oct 15, 2003 11:49 AM

Re: Smoking Breaks

We don't do coffee breaks at my office.

ILT1221 Posted: Oct 15, 2003 11:54 AM

Re: Smoking Breaks

Michelle in my building (or maybe my floor)they discourage people taking breaks. So they only go twice (once in the morning, once in the afternoon).

KarenK122 Posted: Oct 15, 2003 11:55 AM

Re: Smoking Breaks

We are not allowed coffee breaks in our office either. I think that is only true for non salaried employees.

jenny11.9 Posted: Oct 15, 2003 12:43 PM

Re: Smoking Breaks

we only allow two smoke breaks.

Xelindrya Posted: Oct 15, 2003 12:48 PM

Re: Smoking Breaks

I don't smoke
I don't drink coffee

Smokers here always go off and disappear for a smoke. If, like me, you don't smoke it's somehow held against you.

I mean they don't come right out and say it but it's sorta of like 'You don't smoke so you can work through your breaks' odd.. that isn't a break is it?

If you take lollypop breaks (alternate to smokers) they look at you with the 'oh she lazy look' and in this office where looks are everything I take my breaks and lunch at my desk thank you very much.

Xelindrya Posted: Oct 15, 2003 12:50 PM

Re: Smoking Breaks

Its tempting to start smoking again so I *CAN* have breaks!!!!

I quit March of 2001, but it is tempting!

ChristineC68 Posted: Oct 15, 2003 12:52 PM

Re: Smoking Breaks

Xelyndra - good for you!

In our office, most of the employees are given an hour lunch and they are allowed to break it up for smoking breaks if they wish. Of course the honor system come into play if you don't punch in and out for lunch.

yabbobay Posted: Oct 15, 2003 12:59 PM

Re: Smoking Breaks

this is from the US dept of Labor site...

Rest and Meal Periods: Rest periods of short duration, usually 20 minutes or less, are common in industry (and promote the efficiency of the employee) and are customarily paid for as working time. These short periods must be counted as hours worked. Unauthorized extensions of authorized work breaks need not be counted as hours worked when the employer has expressly and unambiguously communicated to the employee that the authorized break may only last for a specific length of time, that any extension of the break is contrary to the employer's rules, and any extension of the break will be punished. Bona fide meal periods (typically 30 minutes or more) generally need not be compensated as work time. The employee must be completely relieved from duty for the purpose of eating regular meals. The employee is not relieved if he/she is required to perform any duties, whether active or inactive, while eating.

just because you are a salary worker, doesn't mean that your employers can take advantage of you

because of this law...i think this is the reason that employers do not say anything about smoke breaks...