The owner of a small German computer company has fired three non-smoking workers because they were threatening to disturb the peace after they requested a smoke-free environment.
The manager of the 10-person IT company in Buesum, named Thomas J., told the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper he had fired the trio because their non-smoking was causing disruptions.
Germany introduced non-smoking rules in pubs and restaurants on January 1, but Germans working in small offices are still allowed to smoke.
"I can\’t be bothered with trouble-makers," Thomas was quoted saying. "We\’re on the phone all the time and it\’s just easier to work while smoking. Everyone picks on smokers these days. It\’s time for revenge. I\’m only going to hire smokers from now on."
If you\’re alowed to fire people for smoking, why not?
They weren’t fired for not smoking. They were fired for threatening to disturb the peace to get their own way over everyone else. Anyone who threatens disruption, for any reason, should face disciplinary action. This was an attempt at blackmail, and I am glad it failed.
“I am glad it failed” – I bet you are.
Smoking in the presence of non-smokers who do not wish to smell of dirty ashtrays is tantamount to assault.
The business owner is no standard-bearer for ‘freedom’ but an all-too prevalent example of a bully.
GeoffH.
The business owner is…ding!…the owner and should be free to hire (or not) whomsoever he wishes. That is not bullying – the true attempt to bully was that of the workers – “do X or else Y”.
As to assault, if you REALLY want to find the proper place to start a no-smoking area, how about all outdoor public spaces, as in the highway, bus stops etc? No? Sounds totalitarian? Exactly, for that is what it is. The term “public places” is typical newspeak inversion. A bar is NOT a public space, but private property upon which the owner permits the public to enter.
BTW I doubt the non-smokers would have been able to avoid the signs they were about to work in a smoking environment.
“Let me have about me men that are fat”.
… and who drink, and smoke. O that all these puritans would go and live on a little island somewhere all by themselves.
What does the company produce? I want to buy some.
Good for him! And I write as a life-long non-smoker!!