(OT:) I need to work here!

Jan 20, 2008 10 Replies
H

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."


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<

Maybe we ought to send our entire Illinois government there and watch how fast they get fired.

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W

"Hachiroku"...

So, anyone who wants to avoid that disgusting smell doesn't count?

That's bullshit.

Natalie

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C

Oh, for crying out loud; this is ridiculous, IMO. Firing non-smokers because they don't want to be subjected to a known carcinogen, which also happens to stink to high heaven?!?

Cathy

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D

If you really want a feel for it visit some backwoods casinos in Nevada. Its like hitting a brick wall when you walk in.

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W

Oh I don't need to experience that again, thanks. I remember the club scene in the 80s.

Natalie

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H

Then they should have moved on to greener pastures. If you're working somewhere you don't like, the best thing to do is to move on. Unless you're being paid extremely well, and then you shut up and put up. I've done that plenty of times.

There are a lotof articles availble on the web about this story, and in another one the owner of the business said they were becoming disruptive to the business and troublesome to the other employees.

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R

Kind of like visiting the automotive repair shops with brick walls in the old days. The bricks retain all sorts of soot, dirt, and crud and make the interior of the shop look black. Cars were spewing out exhaust as they were driven in and out of the shop, brake dust (asbestos) was floating in the air, various chemicals like carburetor and brake cleaner, solvents, sealants, etc.are in use, plus there is the dust from hammering on rusty parts. After spending a day in the shop, secondhand smoke was like a breath of fresh air!

The Toyota dealer (originally a Nash/Rambler dealer) in Hachi's town used to be that way before they cleaned it up.

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H

LOL! they still have their moments!

They are supposed to be building a new facility, which will be where the Ford dealer in town is (The Ford dealer bought the Toyota dealership years ago, and then sold it to a Volvo/Saab/BMW dealer from further down the line) Toyota is allowing them a bit of a departure from the usual building they are supposed to build, in order to stay with the "small-town" feel in this area.

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U

I miss that ambiance. Protecting your meal at lunch was always in vogue.

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