News

Time off but not in ‘loo’

Employees of West Thurrock council in Essex who smoke are being asked to stay at work for an additional two and a half hours each week to compensate for what the management claims is time taken off ‘in lieu’ for smoking.

The decision, which will be highlighted in employees’ contracts, will mostly affect smokers among the 1200 staff at the council’s civic offices. The two and a half hours (calculated on the basis of two 15 minute smoke-breaks per day), will increase the time smokers spend at work from 37 to 39 ½ hours.

Public sector union Unison, which is in favour of workplace non-smoking policies, has reacted with anger to the move, claiming that the council created the problem by closing the civic hall’s smoking room and forcing smokers to go elsewhere to have a cigarette.

‘It’s clear discrimination against smokers,’ said Unison services and conditions officer Debbie Doogan-Turner. ‘If people go to the toilet for 15 minutes twice a day they aren’t asked to work an extra two and a half hours a week.’