Role model bonus for non-smoking teachers

[Martin-O2]

Hey guys,

A school in Switzerland has proposed offering a "good role model" bonus of 5 extra days holiday for non smoking teaching staff. "Staff at the Schillingsrain Schulheim institute near Basel, Switzerland, will receive five more days of annual leave than their smoker colleagues should the initiative go ahead."

The idea is to set a positive example to students at the school and reduce the number of sick days taken by staff and statistically smokers are more susceptible to colds, coughs and other more serious ailments linked to long term smoking. 

Full article here

What do you guys make of this? A good idea or more is the employer overstepping their boundaries? 

[Curr946]

well, smokers tend to take more unauthorised adhoc breaks, so yeah, seems fair.

[sheepdog]

Hmmm, (from linked article) “since smokers are statistically much more likely to fall ill from coughs and colds as well as more serious conditions” would that take into account the smokers have to go outside into the cold thus increasing their risk to ailments? 

Won't happen though as the smokers (quite rightly) will be claiming employment discrimination and then management will realise that giving everyone 5 days extra is actually quite expensive. 

[Anonymous]

Its in Switzerland, you can't claim discrimination they wouldn't understand...:smileyhappy:

[Martin-O2]

@Curr946 I think this is more aimed at setting a good example for the kiddies rather then curb cheeky fag breaks. 

@sheepdog That's a good point, I'm sure there would be a case for discrimination but I'm unsure how the Swiss employment laws work. 

[viridis]

Hope the parents send letters fining them for taking time off during important term times

[Martin-O2]

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@viridis wrote:
Hope the parents send letters fining them for taking time off during important term times

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Haha I suppose any extra days would be outside the normal school leave so they very well could! 

[viridis]

Tbh, it opens up a lot of doors that lead to a lot of discrimination cases..
Plus, how can it set a better role model to kids.. Unless they spark up in class, the kids shouldn't be knowledgeable regarding teachers habits.

[Cleoriff]

I think those who do smoke will be looking at any way to fight back by looking closely at Employment Law...Human Rights Law and seeing if they have grounds for discrimination..

[jonsie]

Whatever next, extra holidays for people who don't drink or don't own a car in order to protect the environment? Oh you come to school on a bicycle...have another weeks holiday!