Boss fires staff for not smoking

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Reuters

Posted online: Friday , January 11, 2008 at 01:16:05
Updated: Friday , January 11, 2008 at 01:31:01

Berlin, January 11: 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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Comments - 1

Not surprised by Cogito_ergo... on 11 Jan 2008

I am retired now (from public empooyment). During my working days, my boss used to get annoyed with me for the following reasons, among others.....(1) My refusal, during staff meetings, to drink tea (which was actually some sort of _kashAyam_ flavoured with caredomom, ginger, cloves, etc.) from cracked cups, or to eat the not-so-clean looking "refreshments". The staff had to pay from their pockets for these. (2) Objecting to the very poor quality drinking water, which was actually VERY hard water pumped up from a tubewell, and was laced further with pesticide residues, fluoride, nitrate, etc from the soil. (3) Requesting others in the meeting not to smoke.

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