© 2004 SHRM

SHRM Weekly Online Survey: December 7, 2004

Smoking In the Workplace

• Sample comprised of 270 randomly selected HR professionals.

• Analyzing 270 out of 2113 emails sent; 2051 received (response rate = 13%).

• Survey fielded December 7 – 13, 2004; presentation generated on December 14, 2004.

• Margin of error is +/- 6.0%.

© 2004 SHRM

SHRM Weekly Online Survey: December 7, 2004

Some organizations are taking steps to reduce their health care costs by targeting smoking behaviors. Does your organization do any of the following? (Check all that apply.)

6%

0%

2%

4%

5%

17%

19%

27%

32%

72%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Other

Have a form al policy against hiring sm okers

Ask about sm oking behavior in the recruiting process

Prefer to not hire sm okers

Charge higher health care prem ium s for sm okers

Have w ritten policies that s tate that sm oking in undesignatedareas m ay result in term ination

Ban sm oking in the w orkplace (both ins ide and outs ide ofbuilding)

Have policies that lim it the num ber of breaks em ployees cantake during the day

Offer a sm oking cessation program

Have designated sm oking areas (outs ide of office)

© 2004 SHRM

SHRM Weekly Online Survey: December 7, 2004

Some organizations are taking steps to reduce their health care costs by targeting smoking behaviors. Does your organization do any of the following? (Check all that apply.)

Choice Count Percent of Sample

Have designated smoking areas (outside of office) 194 71.85%

Offer a smoking cessation program 87 32.20%

Have policies that limit the number of breaks employees can take during the day

73 27.00%

Ban smoking in the workplace (both inside and outside of building)

50 18.51%

Have written policies that state that smoking in undesignated areas may result in termination

45 16.70%

Charge higher health care premiums for smokers 13 4.80%

Prefer to not hire smokers 12 4.40%

Ask about smoking behavior in the recruiting process 4 1.50%

Have a formal policy against hiring smokers 1 0.40%

Other 17 6.29%

© 2004 SHRM

SHRM Weekly Online Survey: December 7, 2004

Open-ended responses for “Other” option

• Gather information at Benefit enrollment meetings to consider cessation program• The cessation program is through our EAP• Nothing stated or written about smokers• Consumer driver health care coverage with Destiny provides points for quitting - points

are redeemable for prizes or additional funds into the PMF• Smoking has not been the target of any differentiation treatment at our workplace• We have no policies in place, it's a problem for the nonsmokers• Smoking is banned in corporate office but field offices are allowed to smoke outside.• Charge higher optional life premiums for smokers• We offer a credit to non-tobacco users and we just put in ONE designated area for

smoking outside rather than allowing smoking in their cars • Promotes itself as a smoke free environment• Health education forums and literature• Flexible credits for benefits• Health Risks are often listed in our Wellness Program• This is very intrusive. Should companies consider obesity in managing health care costs

and have a formal policy against hiring overweight people. Should companies limit food breaks or inquire about eating habits during an interview.

• Fitness program provides points (awards for quitting)