Question

Suppose that you are a chain smoker. One day you are fired, and your boss says smoking is not allowed as a company policy. Will you be able to get back your job ? If not, what can you do?

Answer 1

Understanding that the person is a chain smoker and has been fired from the organisation it might be difficult to get the job back. The firm is having stringent rules & policies as they have resorted to firing of any employee on grounds of smiling policy violation.

What can be done - a pardon email & request can be sent to the leader, HR & the immediate boss.

You can highlight certain aspects:

• The mail can highlight that no exposure will be given to non-smokers.
• The company premise and timings will be respected & it won't happen in the stipulated area & time.
• At no point, you will be entertaining or encouraging this behavior amongst other team members and rather be open about its negative consequences.
• Mention to them considering you have been a chain smoker you have been successfully able to control the urge & reduced the number of smokes.

Inform them that you are seeking help & using all measures to reduce the number of smokes and with the gradual flow, you will be able to eliminate the same.

If you are not able to get the job back here are the measures I would suggest:

• Reduce the number of smokes. Try all the preventive measures & medicines which help in the same.
• Smoking as a habit has a serious effect on health & fitness leading to an impact on overall performance as well. Hence it is important to take a break & work towards distancing from the habit.
• It will be important to shortlist and apply for company that are lenient on smoking policies so that in the process of lowering the numbers you are not fired from other organisations.
• The sudden urge can be avoided by going out for a walk, using designated smoking areas and not sharing the habit with other team members.
• It is important to try for a substitute to prevent the smoking habit further.

By taking other measures like exercising, going out for walks, chewing gums, keeping yourself occupied with deep breathing & yoga exercises, having lot of water, selecting other forms of entertainment and spending time with friends and family who are non-smokers can help control this habit & hence won't lead to any such measures in the future organisation.

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