I can understand not wanting to hire a smoker for a variety of reasons, however I think that rather than being exclusionary, enforcing existing policies is probably the best bet. Smokers should not get to take more breaks than anyone else. Also, your dress code likely addresses personal hygiene, offensive odors, etc already.

When an existing property has not had a Smoke Free designation ever (which could mean for 30+ years for some communities) it would be the Owners' decision to create such a designation. In some states where smoking is almost a rite of passage, there may be many residents who are smokers. It is easier to have a Smoke Free designation for the workplace. However, the real estate company offered smoking cessation classes to those they wished to hire who were smokers (who were actually preferred candidates because of their skills) so they could hire them. It seemed like a win-win for both parties involved. It then became the responsibility of the new hire to become a non-smoker.

At this time, smokers are not a protected class, so I believe you can ask if someone is a smoker before you hire them. Even if that is the case is some municipality, you can state that your company, and your communities are all non-smoking locations. Unfortunately, if someone is a smoker, they carry the smell of cigarette smoke on their clothing and in their hair that many residents and team members find very offensive. This is especially true if they smoke in their vehicle as they travel to and from work. This can present a real problem if they must enter a residents home. Therefore, it's not enough to say they must smoke outside, or in a designated smoking area. The odor still travels with them. Lastly, it's very hard to enforce a "no smoking" community policy if your residents can see your team members smoking on the site.

Good thinking, Mindy, but why not go a step further and adopt "no smoking" rules for the property. It is a growing trend because it saves money on refurbishing, is an environmentally sound practice, and the market for smoke-free housing options is growing. It's healthier for residents and staff and reduces fires. We see many properties choosing this route for both affordable and market rate multifamily housing.

What about simply being a designated non-smoking office/shop? I once worked for a real estate company that had such a designation. I agree that smokers tend to take a lot more breaks than non-smokers, but I have not deliberately NOT hired someone who smokes. Usually we as a company stress the health benefits of being a non-smoker, plus it is less expensive for your health insurance, and finally, we do offer to pay for smoking cessation (not sure of the spelling!) for anyone who wants to kick the habit.

Over then years I have had so much issue with smokers I have hired, most of them (not all) have wasted so much of my time going for smoke breaks non-stop and it seems like most maintenance guys do smoke.

So I came up with a way to find out in my interviews if they are smokers all without asking them if they are (as in some states that is a no,no).

I keep a piece of para cord or rope with a frayed end and as I am messing with it as they walk in and after the person I am interviewing is sitting down, I start searching in my drawers and pockets and say where did I leave it, then I ask Hey you got a light?

They will give you the answer you are looking for.


I hope that helps....wink wink