Question for HR types

[HarrogateMum]

Our work has offered an initiative (financial) to people who give up smoking by a certain date.

I think this is wrong......and surely discriminatory to people who dont smoke?

Thoughts?

There's no law protecting smokers/non-smokers from discrimination. I presume the incentive is part of some kind of health initiative in the workplace?

Is it worth starting to smoke then stopping?

not discrimination, no, but seems a bit unfair and short-sighted of the company as it will irritate non-smokers who are probably already irritated by smokers taking breaks.

It would be more usual (and sensible) to offer support with giving up smoking, free counselling or similar, rather than cash.

I can see why they are doing it - they can't endorse a method of stopping in case they get sued.... so they are giving people money in lieu of paying for treatments... hypnotherapy, patches etc all cost money so the smokers won't be getting money unless they do it by willpower alone...

However IMHO very short sighted... should be treating all workers fairly!

free nicotine patches and counselling would be better.

Well that is something my company would NEVER do

its not really part of any health initiative, it was just dreamed up as far as I can see, no wider health initative, hence peoples' annoyance if they dont smoke!

It seems a bit odd that they're offering financial incentives instead of free patches, help with smoking cessation etc.

Sounds like they've had a good idea (to try and help smokers quit) but gone about it in the wrong way. I wouldn't recommend taking up smoking to quit though in case you end up hooked !