‘What matters at workplace is productivity’
One would think that this research would cause Human Resources departments to rethink smoke breaks, but surprisingly, many companies and their HR departments have accepted the culture as a norm. Some even say that smokers are unnecessarily targeted as far as wasting time is concerned.
Anjali Sharma, an Indo-Canadian expat, works in the HR department of her company: “Smoking is a personal choice. The corporate world around the globe has accepted this. In fact, some companies even ask employees about their smoking habits before they hire them. This is to understand whether he or she will be needing flexible work timings.”
She feels, as long as employees provide quality output and stick to deadlines, it does not really matter.
“The whole idea is very debatable. On the one hand, we see smokers who finish their smoke breaks fast and their work on time. While, on the other, some nonsmokers while away time on social media. Observing smokers I have also noticed that some compulsive smokers need the nicotine drive to think.”
Online time
Indian expat Vidya Rajeev, who has been in HR for nearly 10 years, added: “I do not agree that smokers waste time at their workplace or that smoking has any direct impact on their productivity. If you are judging smokers on the basis of time wasted, then you should equally judge non-smokers who waste time. I have personally seen non-smokers who spend more time doing make-up, online on WhatsApp or social media or indulging in useless chit chat. I have also noticed smokers who try to finish their food early so they can smoke within the break time.”
Anjali Sharma said: “I have been working in this field for 17 years and not once have I received a complaint about a smoker not doing their work due to ‘overbreaks’. It is wrong to presume otherwise.”
To Sharma, as long as employees don’t misuse the time provided by the company and take very long breaks, it is not a problem. She also added: “I don’t encourage smoking but that is only for the health aspect.”