Smokers’ job hopes stubbed out

It turns out smoking is not only bad for your health, it may also be making it more difficult to find a job.

In a job search, workplace relations company Employsure found 15 New Zealand organisations with job ads referencing “non-smokers only” or “non-smokers preferred”.

They included jobs in the trades industry, transport and logistics, community services and education.

A Human Rights Commission spokeswoman said although it might not be considered fair or reasonable, it was not unlawful.

The Human Rights Act makes it unlawful to discriminate in certain areas — including employment — and on certain grounds, like sex or disability. However, smoking is not a ground in the act.

“An employer can refuse to hire someone if they smoke because smoking is not covered by the Human Rights Act,” she said.

The Human Rights Commission received complaints about this “from time to time”, although it was not common, she said.

Employsure senior employment relations expert Vanessa Bainbridge said no law dealt solely with job advertisements, and what could and could not be referenced in them.

“While the job advert might seem to be discriminating against smokers, it’s likely that, under the law, it actually isn’t,” Bainbridge said.

Banning smoking in workplaces like bars and restaurants is permitted under the Smoke-free Environments Act. This is intended to protect nonsmokers from being affected by smoking. — Melissa Nightingale

Awoman badly beaten by her husband says her 5-year-old daughter saved her life by walking in and witnessing the attack. It was at that moment she realised the danger she and her children were in — and that she had to get out of her dangerous and abusive marriage.

Kristen spoke to the Herald about her horrifying ordeal to raise awareness around family violence, particularly the impact it has on children.

Her name has been changed to protect her identity.

She had been married for seven years when the violent incident occurred. It was the first time her husband, the father of her three children, had been physically violent, but looking back she could see she had been subjected to years of emotional and psychological abuse.

“I had no idea I was in an abusive relationship,” she said.

“I knew my marriage was in trouble and I’d been working on trying to fix it for years — but I didn’t think it was abusive.”

Kristen’s partner had an alcohol problem but blamed his addiction solely on her.

It was her fault he went out on benders, her fault he had affairs, her fault their marriage was in crisis.

“I took all of that, I believe in marriage and I was trying to do the right thing for my children,” she said.

In the six months leading up to the brutal assault, their relationship worsened.

The yelling, berating, belittling and screaming was more frequent and she became fearful.

The first night he hit her was the last, and he only stopped when interrupted by their young daughter.

He had been drinking and passed out.

A text message came through on his phone from another woman and Kristen woke him to confront him.

He admitted it was a woman he