Thread: Boss fires staff for not smoking

BERLIN (Reuters) - The owner of a small German computer company has fired three non-smoking workers because they were threatening to disturb the peace after they requested a smoke-free environment.

The manager of the 10-person IT company in Buesum, named Thomas J., told the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper he had fired the trio because their non-smoking was causing disruptions.

Germany introduced non-smoking rules in pubs and restaurants on January 1, but Germans working in small offices are still allowed to smoke.

"I can't be bothered with trouble-makers," Thomas was quoted saying. "We're on the phone all the time and it's just easier to work while smoking. Everyone picks on smokers these days. It's time for revenge. I'm only going to hire smokers from now on."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080110/od_nm/smoking_dc;_ylt=Arw53fKGr_hVXRFNx965uk4SH9EA

Smokers revenge? This is too funny. You would think you can sue for something here? Might be discrimination.

"marstc09" wrote:

Smokers revenge? This is too funny. You would think you can sue for something here? Might be discrimination.

Tough tits! If they were disruptive in the workplace he could fire them on those grounds.

Don't know if they could sue & win. There's at least one U.S. company who fired employees who smoked & got away with it. Even if the only place they smoked was in their own home.