Hello,
I started by searching the forum s with smoking/work and smoke/work, yielding no result.

I would like to ask fellow EFers their view on smoking in the workplace. I am new to Lausanne and am working here since 1 month and although it is forbidden (since recently) to smoke at work (according to the law apparently), some of my colleagues who have been in the company a very long time, still smoke indoors.
These are people who do not share their room with anyone, but when I go and speak to them I have to stand in a smokey room, and since they sometimes have their door open (or due to ventilation, I don't know) the corridors and stairs smell somewhat.

One of these smokers who smokes in his office is my direct boss. I've told him I don't like him smoking when I am there, so he doesn't, but I still get an itchy throat and extra phlegm (yuk) just from the stinky air.

What would you do (nothing is an option too)? What is your opinion?

Thanks and have a nice day!

I was under the impression it is banned in all indoor workplaces. But are you going to grass up your boss to the police'

How long is the probationary period in your work contract?

Whatever else you do, I would refrain from rocking any boats until then.

Thanks for the replies.

Paddy G - No I am not going to bring in the police, of course.

MathNut- I am definitely trying to avoid complaining too seriously until my 3 months probation is up and I am on permanent contract. I say "trying" because I really hate the smell of cigarette smoke and it annoys me a lot, so sometimes I snap.

Well I had the same situation, my boss smokes in his little office, he kept his window open though, hence almost no smell.
Of course it was forbidden "indoor smoking"...........

Anyway I totally disagree with smoking indoors.The companies provide outside places "smoking areas" for the smokers too. there should be a way to make a win-win situation for both sides (smokers / non smokers)

Are you working at Philip Morris?

No I am not

you have my full support. Complain your heart out. Doesn't matter if you're on probation. I wouldn't let that stop me.

Your boss's office is an uncomfortable atmosphere and frankly the conditions have created a distraction to productive meetings. And if it's leaking out into the rest of the building, that's also a distraction and a hazardous work environgment. I'd tell him this and let him know that you need to have meetings elsewhere if he wants better results from you, and that you also need to discuss moving to a different building.

If you're already upset, do you think the situation will change after probation? You may have an uphill battle in your hands - especially if you're in the minority. And if it bothered me that much, I'd start looking for another job. Sucks I know, but job morale is the highest priority for me.

Smoking indoors is disgusting and it seeps through walls and doors, gets into furniture & carpets forever, and does affect air quality. It's not normal to start losing your voice or having a sore throat or headaches while around smoking so I avoid it as much as possible. Listen to your body because it may only get worse.

The way I see it is sadly like this:

You don't like it but you like the job, so you'll keep working and not complain about it.

Or you begin to look for an other job and meanwhile complain about it and make sure it change for those who'll come next. I'll be surprise if you keep your job with all the complain, so look for something else before.

Bes tof luck, I wouldn't want to be in your position and I wouldn't accept it. My health is what keeps me able to work and get a paycheck, not the opposite.

Probably won't surprise you to know that they have recently reintroduced indoor smoking areas at their facilities here in Neuchatel after discussion with the cantonal officials.
Couldn't possibly have anything to do with the large amount of income they generate for the area that they have been granted permission to do this though.

They probably spun it as "research" or "quality control".

Get a copy of what the law says reprint it in bold letters and hang it an every wall at your work placeIf this does not work get a baseball bat,its unlawful but so is smocking

Smocking's illegal ???

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smocking

Which embroidery stitches are permissable in Switzerland?

Smoking is illegal at the work place

Well I just asked one of the guys who was smoking in his office with his door open (and thus stinking up the whole corridor of my floor) if he would please smoke with his door closed, and he absolutely understood and closed the door straight away.

But Nil is right, I like the job and hence will try to stop complaining...

I work at PM three days a week and can confirm the lovely stench of stale smoke!

I don't mind closed, restricted smoking areas, as long as the smell doesn't spread out into the corridors.

The irony is he probably won't open the window instead because the draught is bad for his health...

I totally disagree that you'll lose your job if you complain. You are entitled to fresh air in the work environment and the law's on your side. If someone fires you for that, then in my opinion, it isnt a company worth working for anyway.

These people have probably been in the company for ages and stick to their old ways because no one has complained about the smoke as the old employees are so used to it. However, if someone spoke up nicely, I am pretty sure that they will realise that they need to be much more considerate.

There is no need to resort to extreme measures like calling in the health inspectors. You wont be popular for sure. Simply ask your boss if you can take the meeting outdoors where he can chain smoke till the cows come home, and you can breathe and think better for a more productive meeting.

Or take the local passive-aggressive approach and stick a post-it to his forehead.