I was let go of my temp job becuase I am a smoker
I admit it. I am a smoker. Many employees smoke, many more do not. Last year, I left my most prolific job which lasted 10 years because it had no upward growth, to look for a permanent job that I could move upwards in and call home. On the way, I discovered that a temp employee can be fired, or ‘let go’ because that employee is a smoker. I worked a temp job at a well-known tech company about 5 months ago, I was there 6 weeks and performed my job efficiently and admirably. I was the main point of contact for incoming employees, onboarding them, working with the recruiters, and the facilities department which took care of the new employee’s needs. As a front desk person, I was at a desk I shared with another girl who was about 12 years younger than me (she was very much into natural health, a vegan, and was in thick with the supervisor.) After 6 weeks, I was let go. Just recently I discovered why I was let go from this position after being let go from my most recent temp position, I talked to my staffing recruiter and confirmed it had to do with smoking. My recruiter confirmed that the other front desk girl complained about the smoke smell and the supervisor let me go rather than let her friend be bothered by any smoke coming off my clothes. I took my most recent temp job because I was desperate, it was a receptionist position even though I was initially looking for an administrative assistant or an EA position. That’s ok, I’ve done reception work before, I have great customer service skills, enjoy helping people, and I needed a job. The company only had about 45 employees in the office, and guess who was the only smoker? Yep. Me. On the second day, my supervisor spoke to me, saying “I know you are a smoker” (I was hired through a phone interview so of course, she would not know this ahead of time, nor is it something I would think to disclose on an interview.) She continued, “As you are the first point of contact to possible clients or customers I don’t want you to smell like smoke.” I thanked her for bringing it to my attention and told her I would do everything I could to tamp down and get rid of any extraneous odours. I purchased many aerosol cans of Ozium and similar smoke-combating sprays, I began spraying my clothes, myself, and my area every day. I didn’t smoke in my car at all. I only smoked on my breaks or lunch breaks and I believe the smoke smells were greatly reduced to almost non-existent. Interestedly, this office didn’t really have any walk-in clients or customers, on an average week, zero people walked in, so in an average month only about 1-3 people walked into the office where I was the ‘first point of contact’. But I understood the supervisor’s point, it is the company’s prerogative and they did not want a smoker as their receptionist or have any of their office employees be smokers. I had been working at this small company about 1 month, spraying my clothes and myself after every break. I know the smell was almost non-existent because I asked others about. Unfortunately, I was late to work on two separate occasions, one was out of my control, due to heavy traffic because of a rainstorm which caused major backups on the freeway. I called in and told my supervisor I was running about 10 minutes late and why. She approved my tardiness. The second time it was my fault, my alarm didn’t go off, did I forget to set it or did I turn it off in my sleep? Either was possible, regardless, I was tardy to work by 8 minutes. Two days later I was let go from the temp job. Basically, I know the tardiness was an excuse to let me go, the real reason was she did not want a smoker as her receptionist. Now, three weeks later, after setting up and attending a few interviews, I was offered a great job! It’s at a well-known tech company that has an excellent reputation for treating its employees very well and paying out good wages and bonuses. YAY! While it is only a 3-month temp job I am going to do everything, I can to make sure the temp-to-hire turns into FT hired at the company to make this company my permanent employment home. I ‘ve set 3 alarms for every workday to make sure I am not late. I have recently switched to vaping to get rid of the smoke smell. (Well, I am trying, I do still occasionally smoke real cigarettes but I spray my clothes and myself extensively to combat the smell). And luckily, there are many other employees there who smoke there so I won’t be singled out as the ‘only smoker’. Epilog of the story. You can be let go for any reason when you are at a temp job. Treat every day at the temp job as if it’s the very first day of work, you want to make a good impression and do your best work. Companies pay more for their temp workers and they will look for any excuse to get rid of you until they find that perfect person they want in the position. It can even come down to the fact that you may have extraneous odours clinging to you or your clothes from strong foods, hygiene, to the fact you are a smoker. And yes. I am trying to quit smoking!
Congratulations on finding the new opportunity, I always try to keep the mindset when one door shuts there will be and open window some where. I live in the state of SC that is a Right to Work state and a company can fire you just because they feel like it period! I am a smoker as well and in my fifties. Mercy, I can remember 30 years ago I worked in branch office with headquarters located in VA and every single employee in the office smoked at their desks!! I have always tried to be a courteous smoker, example my youngest child (daughter) was a high school and collegiate athlete and when we were in the bleachers watching a softball game during travel ball in the summer and fall I would purposely leave the stand and go as far away as I possibly could so not to bother anyone even when there were some very rude people that would light up sitting right there in the stands.. Generally behind Right or Center field so I wouldn't miss anything. I also do not smoke in my home or in my kids or husband vehicles albeit I probably smoke like a chimney in my own vehicle. It's not always easy just going outside while at home because our garage is detached and in SC summers it gets extremely HOT but I don't mind. However the one thing that bothers me is when they passed the no smoking in restaurants bill many years ago I didn't mind but for heaven's sake could you at least accommodate with some type of shelter cover due to weather elements or something I am not particularly fond of standing in the rain. Anyway, thank you for the heads up because I would have never thought to disclose that information in an interview either. Now regarding the tardiness I am going to be extremely honest LOL I am a hard worker, extremely dedicated and loyal. My Excel knowledge score is 100% (I am a financial analyst) , I am very proficient in all software applications and web design and type 80 wpm however, I sleep extremely hard. So, I am very lucky to work at a company that offer flex hours meaning they have a set core hour time period but I can arrive at work anywhere from 6:00am - 10:00am just as long as I put in my 8 hour day. That eliminated quite a bit of stress off of me in regards to if I get stuck in traffic or oversleeping.
I wish you success in your battle with quitting the habit.. I too , am fighting the same battle and I know how difficult it is. I have been told by addiction specialists that nicotine is one if not the worst to stop.
No smoking requirements are becoming more and more prevalent, especially in medical occupations. The smell of cigarette smoke in a person's clothing is enough to trigger an asthma attack in a co-worker or a patient, client, or customer with asthma. I have asthma, and cannot tolerate being around a smoker who's clothes wreak of cigarette smoke. If the person smokes cigars, it's even worse!!! If your really trying to quit smoking, do it "cold turkey". My husband quit smoking "cold turkey", 20 years ago, and hasn't picked up a cigarette, since. He says that he's glad he quit smoking, and that he doesn't miss it.
Sadly, no smoking requirements are slowly becoming the norm as opposed to the exception! In the process for applying for a job as a paramedic about 8 years ago I was shocked to learn there was a urine screen for nicotine...and now they have a saliva and hair tests! I get it, smoking is a dirty habit; I know it's bad for my health, but no where have I read that it's illegal. SEVERAL states now actually have LAWS on the books preventing potential employers from discriminating against people who smoke, and to be honest, I am surprised we haven't seen more challenges in court! But then again, In this current climate I am surprised to see we haven't seen more people trying to sue smokers for their illnesses (side note, please check out the relationship between stress & cancer; worrying about my smoking giving you cancer will probably cause you to develop cancer before my second hand smoke will)
I too am a smoker and have been for 50+ yrs. and an Educator...not bragging, I smoked my last cig with coffee @ 6 am @ home; sprayed my hair, brushed teeth, then dressed & went to work...I smoked again 15 min. after I left work in route home, as I left my Jeep, I sprayed it, then went in my home. I set up my home office away from the common use areas to not afford affecting others & always bathed/washed hair before bed & in am before leaving 4 work. Now retired, I still do This out of respect 4 others. U also might choose to rise earlier to have more personal prep time! Just a thought!
It's not what u do it's how you do
I LOVE your encouraging testimony to others!! Down to the very last sentence. I am a former smoker (in my mid20's). It is ONLY by the unmerited GRACE of God that i do not smoke today -35yrs later! I say so because i KNOW myself, & i have an all-around extremely addictive personality. My relationship with my Lord & Saviour, augmented by my heartfelt concern over what my prospective fiancee' thought about me at the time greatly impacted my deliverance from the bondage of this habit. Kari, ur a beautiful lady...i will lift you up in my prayers right now, & request your salvation (if ur not), & freedom from any ties that bind. Blessings on ur new job! As an elder, & a "seasoned" (in multiple industries) workforce member that i am -your advice to temp-assigned candidates is not only well-received, on point, & spot on! It's more timely than you will EVER know. Poor work ethics from candidates who serve on temp assignments leave a trail of workplace peril, suspicion & toxic distrust from mgmt., for ALL prospecting staff who come behind the misbehaving.
You or your employer in a right to work state can terminate your position for any reason at any time. Some companies will let you go due to insurance reasons but they aren't going to put that as the reason in your file. Smokers cost employers more money in insurance cost. Many employers will have a program with in their insurance that will help you to be able to quit smoking. It's been proven that people that quit smoking will see their health improve within the first week or two of quitting. Quitting also saves thousands of dollars per year that can go to pay your debts or go into a retirement savings account.
Right to work state they do not have to have a reason to let you go.
Go Girl!