With all of the demands of running a business in the day to day many people may be wondering why employers should involve themselves in the health and habits of their employees.More specifically why should employers be involved in workplace smoking cessation?There are six main reasons for employers to support smoking cessation in the workplace:
- Overall improved employee health-Good health is an invaluable resource that you cannot set a price on. As an employer you need to invest in the health of your employees as your organization’s most important asset. It has been shown that employees who do not smoke take fewer sick days, go on disability less often, and are less likely to retire early because of poor health.
- Overall increased productivity-Helping employees quit smoking is just good for business. Since non-smokers take fewer sick days than smokers then non-smokers can be more productive because they do not take the unscheduled smoking breaks that some smokers do. Employees who smoke may also need to take longer breaks than non-smoking employees. Because of new municipal bylaws and stronger legislation smoking is no longer allowed inside most workplaces. This means that employees must go outside to smoke a cigarette, (often to a designated smoking area) and sometimes they must leave the workplace premises completely. Because it now takes more time for employees to reach a place for smoking this translates into longer breaks. It also results in a cost for employers to pay for and install commercial ashtrays outside as well as to clean the ashtrays and the surrounding area.
- Significantly reduced business costs-Supporting employees to quit smoking are an investment that is worth its return. If employees who smoke are helped to quit, employers can see less loss of skills, knowledge and corporate memory due to premature death and early retirement. Studies show that many of the companies that have offered smoking cessation activities to their employees report positive results. It has been shown that smoking cessation support is a sound economic investment and is especially profitable when offered over the long term (five or more years). Employers are realizing that employees are their most valuable asset and one of their greatest competitive advantages. Employers put a lot into hiring, training and keeping great employees. It is a business imperative to have them healthy and in the workplace.Employers are now realizing that this means more than just avoiding accidents but also avoiding personal crisis, health crisis and financial crisis.
- Dramatically enhanced job satisfaction-Several studies have shown that a large majority of both smokers and non-smokers would rather work in a smoke-free environment. These same studies also show that many smokers would welcome smoking cessation programs offered by their employers. It has been proven that when employees are healthy and have a strong sense of personal well-being, there is an improvement in their morale and the overall quality of the work environment. In this environment, employees are more productive and feel a greater sense of loyalty and a dramatically enhanced sense of job satisfaction.
- A more effective workplace setting-Workplaces and homes have been found to be the two environments that can have the greatest effect on people’s health. Workplaces in particular are an ideal setting to help people quit smoking for several reasons:
- Since many people spend a good part of their time at work workplaces have access to a large number of people on a regular basis. They have the opportunity to reach a high number of smokers on an ongoing basis.
- Workplaces also have access to some groups that would be hard to reach otherwise, such as different minority groups, and people who do not visit doctors and other health care professionals regularly.
- Smoking bans in workplaces encourage employees who smoke to cut down or quit, and help those who are already smoke-free to stay that way.
- A better corporate image-Workplaces that care about the health of their employees will portray a positive image within the workplace and the larger community. A better image can help to attract and keep talented workers. Workplaces that comply with non-smoking legislation are highly respected in the community. Those businesses that go beyond these requirements by offering cessation support display an even greater commitment to the health and welfare of their employees.
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