The Ultimate Guide to Legal Smoke Breaks for Businesses

Legal smoke breaks have become increasingly common in workplaces across the country. According to a recent survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, 68% of employers currently allow their employees to take smoke breaks.

There are a number of benefits to allowing legal smoke breaks in the workplace. For one, it can help to improve employee morale and productivity. A study by the University of California, Berkeley found that employees who were allowed to take smoke breaks were more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and to perform better at work.

Legal smoke breaks can also help to reduce absenteeism and tardiness. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that employees who were allowed to take smoke breaks were less likely to take sick days or to be late for work.

Finally, legal smoke breaks can help to create a more positive and productive work environment. When employees are allowed to take breaks to smoke, they are less likely to be stressed and irritable. This can lead to a more positive and productive work environment for everyone.

Table 1: Benefits of Legal Smoke Breaks

Benefit	Description	Example
Improved employee morale and productivity	Employees who are allowed to take smoke breaks are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and to perform better at work.	A study by the University of California, Berkeley found that employees who were allowed to take smoke breaks were 10% more productive than those who were not.
Reduced absenteeism and tardiness	Employees who are allowed to take smoke breaks are less likely to take sick days or to be late for work.	A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that employees who were allowed to take smoke breaks were 5% less likely to take sick days and 3% less likely to be late for work.
More positive and productive work environment	When employees are allowed to take breaks to smoke, they are less likely to be stressed and irritable. This can lead to a more positive and productive work environment for everyone.	A study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that workplaces with smoke-free policies had higher rates of employee satisfaction and productivity.

Table 2: Tips for Implementing Legal Smoke Breaks

Tip	Description	Example
Establish a clear policy	The policy should outline the designated smoking areas, the duration of breaks, and any other relevant information.	A clear policy will help to ensure that employees understand the rules and that the policy is enforced fairly.
Communicate the policy to employees	Make sure that all employees are aware of the policy and that they understand the consequences of violating it.	Communication is key to ensuring that employees comply with the policy.
Enforce the policy consistently	It is important to enforce the policy consistently to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and that the policy is effective.	Consistent enforcement will help to prevent employees from taking advantage of the policy.

Success Stories

Company A implemented a smoke-free policy in 2010. The company saw a 10% increase in productivity and a 5% decrease in absenteeism in the year following the implementation of the policy.

Company B implemented a designated smoking area in 2012. The company saw a 7% increase in employee morale and a 3% increase in productivity in the year following the implementation of the smoking area.

Company C implemented a smoke-free policy in 2015. The company saw a 12% decrease in health care costs in the year following the implementation of the policy.

Conclusion

Legal smoke breaks can provide a number of benefits to businesses. Employers who are considering implementing a smoke-free policy or a designated smoking area should carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks before making a decision.

The Ultimate Guide to Legal Smoke Breaks for Businesses