Vaping in the workplace
- Published on 17 Nov 2020
- Grace Hawkins, Content Writer and Blogger
Vaping is on a sudden rise in the corporate culture. It is still comparatively new, and many people do not know much about it. Among many other laws and policies of the corporate sector, many companies are yet to cover vaping policies at the workplace.
It is accepted in a few places and is still a topic of discussion in the rest of the sites. So how should this alternative be treated? Employment law attorneys state that employers need to consider state and local laws, health risks, accommodation, and company culture when developing their vaping policies. Before the formation of any policies, there are several things you need to know about vaping at the workplace. Here is a rundown of a few answered questions for your ease.
What is Vaping?
Vaporizers, also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems, are battery-operated devices that generally look like a pen or a USB flash drive. They are specific alternatives that the users can puff on. While puffing, the user inhales an aerosol that contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals and is called 'vapor.'
The device consists of a tank, coil, battery, and mouthpiece. You can hit the power button to turn it on, and it heats the contents of the tank producing vapor for you to inhale.
Today, the market is brimming with all kinds of vaping devices, although you must opt for the top quality box mod. It can help produce more significant clouds of vapor and give you an enjoyable vaping experience.
Can an Employee be Fired for Vaping?
The employee's firing entirely depends on the laws and rules set by the state, district, or organizational policies. If the management or guidelines state that you cannot use vape inside the workplace premises, you can fire the employee for going against the law or the policy. However, you cannot fire them for using vape outside the workplace.
It is wise to have a disciplinary procedure that you can follow in case this situation arises. Suppose your employee goes against the rule and breaks it. In that case, there should be a personal disciplinary procedure of your company that the employer sets and follows before the termination of employment.
How to make a formal policy about vaping?
Whether your employees adhere to nicotine practices or not, it is wise to have a formal policy to help make decisions if any such situation arises. It helps you and the employees have a clear picture of what is acceptable and what isn’t. If you are wondering about making a new policy on vaping or updating the existing one, here are five steps you can follow to formulating it:
- Research The Laws
Before you begin making a formal HR policy about vaping, it is wise to understand where the local and state government stands on the topic. The laws can vary from country to country and state to state. While some municipalities have banned vaping publically, it is allowed for people in many others. You must carefully understand the local rules to ensure your organization isn’t violating any laws.
- Take Employee Opinions
If you think not many people vape, you are mistaken. There are plenty of people who prefer vaping, for both recreational and medicinal reasons. It is estimated that by the end of 2021, there will be 55 million vape users worldwide. Given the popularity, the number of vaping enthusiasts is only increasing. You must take into account the opinion of your employees while devising the policy. It will help you identify vaporizers’ usage within the organization and make them feel included in the policy-making.
- Keep Uniformity In Policies
Ensure that you have one single policy that applies to all the staff members. The workplace’s vaping policy should be uniform, consistent, and comprehensive that every employee can easily understand.
- Communicate it to the Employees
Once the policy for vaping in the organisation is in place, you can communicate it to the employees. Articulating the terms and discussing it regularly will help ensure all the employees are well aware of it. The rules apply not only for the employees but also for other people like customers, vendors, and clients when they are on site. You can also print the policy and circulate it within the organisation.
- Allow Time to Implement
You might want things to change overnight, but it is quite impossible. You must give your employees some time to adapt and implement the new rules in the workplace. It may take a few months to implement the vaping practices fully.
You need to know several things regarding your organization's vaping rules. It is a long process but a worthwhile investment. With vaping becoming a popular discourse nowadays, it is crucial to protect your employees' rights and your company. These are simple processes formed to benefit everyone working in organisations in various states of the country, for a progressive, disciplinary outlook.
