Hospital To Begin Tobacco Testing Potential Employees

By admin On February 8, 2010 Under Quit Smoking

Hospital to stop hiring smoking employees

Hospital to stop hiring employees who smoke.

It’s no big surprise that after you have that successful job interview, you are sent to the nearest lab to have a blood and drug test. Employers aren’t too big on having employees who do illegal drugs, and rightfully so. As of February 1st, applicants to a Tennessee Health System will have another test to worry about - a nicotine test.

Since the 1st of this month, Memorial Health Systems began testing their potential job applicants for drugs and nicotine. Any applicant who tests positive for tobacco use will not be considered for hire.  The Hospital already has the new regulation on their website. They also explain that they are dedicated to the safety and healthy lifestyles of both their employees and patients.

Could this decision be the beginning of a new trend? If the idea catches on, there is sure to be a great deal of controversy. One thing is for certain, no one will be taking smoke breaks at Memorial Health Systems and its affiliate locations.

Of course, since the electronic cigarette contains nicotine (optionally), it is not exempt from this screening process. It has not yet been considered whether or not nicotine-free e-cig cartridges will be allowed for use on breaks.

Is this unfair discrimination, or do you think they are justified in their actions? Let us know in the comments section below!

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One comment - add yours
Heide

August 13, 2010

I guess I’ll be the only comment LOL

I think this kind of practice should NOT be allowed since tobacco use is not illegal. Testing for drugs? Unless they have a prescription then that is illegal. Even active alcohol in the system can be a job deal breaker since it means it was consumed quite recently. However nicotine and it’s use is NOT illegal. I don’t know if I’d call it discrimination? It’s more of a violation of someone’s civil right.

I think it should be that they must be allowed to quit as a condition of hire. They should have to show some kind of proof that they are quitting. Flat out not hiring shouldn’t be an option for a company. For cryin out loud there’s a law in place that you CAN’T fire a drug addict! You must offer them some kind of rehab option, allow them to go through it, and then revisit the matter at a later date. You may fire the person only if they refuse the help.

And this company wants to refuse to hire a smoker? Get real…