It's impossible to please everyone all the time - that's a fact that HR professionals know all too well. No matter what the rules are, someone will always be ticked off or feel singled out for persecution. Sometimes, employers can hide behind "It's the law" to deflect rancor.
That's the case now in Vermont where smoking has been banned in the workplace. No longer can employees ask to have an indoor space set aside for lighting up during the harsh New England winter. They must brave the cold or do without. Non-smokers are generally happy to have a smoke-free workplace. Smokers are likely to grumble but comply.
How do you help new hires keep a good attitude when some of your workplace rules aren't popular? A fun, interactive acculturation portal can make a difference. You will still need to obtain signed acknowledgements during the transactional phase; but this isn't where employees really get on board with the idea of fitting in with your corporate culture. That happens during the socialization stage.
Ideas for Successful Acculturation in a Non-Smoking Environment
Present your "no-smoking in the office" policy along with a link to an instructional sheet about the effects of second hand smoke on the body. Combine this with your organization's stated commitment to promoting employee health by maintaining a high level of indoor air quality. This information should be offered in a non-judgmental way. Smoking is still an individual choice and even non-smokers don't like employers sticking their noses into people's personal lives.
To prove that you are supportive of all your employees, provide a premises map that shows sheltered outdoor locations where smokers can gather when the weather is nasty. Follow that with an invitation to participate in an employer-sponsored smoking cessation program. Set up an SIG so smokers can share tips for quitting. This can be part of a larger forum where workers support each other in achieving their health/wellness goals.
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