ARBITRATING A SMOKING BAN - A MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE

Burgeoning public awareness of the harmful effects of both primary and secondary cigarette smoke has resulted in a dilemma for many employer s. On the one hand, nonsmokers are demanding a workplace in which smok ing is either reduced or eliminated. On the other, smokers argue that a smoking ban is a violation of their personal rights. Employers recog nize that they could face substantial liabilities for avoiding protect ive action on behalf of their employees in the face of a known health hazard. However, making unilateral changes in a smoking policy is not without its pitfalls as well, says the author. Employers must know the proper steps to take and should be prepared to defend their policy an d the reasons for it to an arbitrator in the event of a challenge.