Banning the addicted: do employers have the right?

Its not just cigarettes that are being banned...

There are all kinds of addictions---A&E has made an entire channel that is almost entirely about the subject. Everything from the obvious drug and alcohol, to the more obscure like Hoarding, shopping, and even eating laundry soap. (I saw a preview for that one just the other day.)  We know and recognize that nicotine, though minor in comparison to the previously mentioned complications is still a form of addiction and shouldn’t be overlooked in its difficulty to overcome.  But does being addicted to nicotine keep an employee from being a valued and essential employee? I don’t think so.

You know about all the new trends to ban smokers from jobs, particularly those based in the healthcare or hospital settings.  Trying to project an image of health has truly gone to extremes.  Don’t worry--you will see what I mean in a moment.  A hospital in Orange City, Florida is requiring that all patients be able to pass a “nicotine test” before they can be approved for hire.  Not just deny that they smoke--but to pass a physical test.

Hospital president Kenneth Mattison is backing a decision by the hospital that bans all nicotine in an employee’s system--that means all users of nicotine replacement--like gums, patches, pills and even e-cig users will be denied a job because of that fact.

So did Mr. Mattison ever consider that those who are using the approved cessation methods might be doing so because they are trying to stop smoking or using tobacco? Did it ever occur to him that they might be doing very well at it, and would make a fantastic employee but they will be passed over because of the issue? Absurd I say.

"The fact that somebody would use a device like an electronic cigarette means there is an addiction there," Mattison said.

So, if we are going to ban these folks, let’s screen for everyone with an addiction. On the job application there should be plenty of spaces, or perhaps a check off list for future employees to divulge all their skeletons completely. Are you addicted to porn? Exercise? Video Games? Email? Sorry. We can’t hire you.

Obviously, hospitals who adopt these policies are not really in need of applicants--or they wouldn’t be so ridiculous in their demands.  We can discriminate in so many ways, but this is a true slap in the face.