Needing Expert Help... Banned at work!

[ChillerVapes]

Hi, hope you are all doing well.

I am in need of some expert help in drafting a letter where I can appeal and perhaps even amend a new "Work Policy" which has started today.

I basically got to work today and found a letter waiting for me in my pigeon hole, the letter stated that from now on, ecigs will be dealt with the same as cigarettes meaning, ecig users can no longer vape indoors but instead, have to vape in designated SMOKING zones and are not aloud to be used in work vans / cars.

I went a bit ape shit as you may imagine... I don't actually work in the offices... I am a delivery driver and work on my own. we have hidden cam's in our vans (as a security measure) but I know for a fact they also use them to catch people who smoke in the vans too as a few people have been given disciplines over smoking inside there vans.

After spending this morning stewing on my round, I have decided the best course of action to take would be a letter to HR in order to appeal.

This is a large, nationwide company we are talking about so the letter needs to be strong enough to get through to them (without damaging the cause) and also come up with some sort of alternative policy (since to me, it seems like they lack any knowledge on ecigs but feel the need to regulate them some how)

To be fair, I wouldn't like it if I didn't smoke or vape and someone kept on blowing clouds all over the office or in the canteen but we also can't let a company simply force ecigs to be part of the smoking ban law.


I'll shut up now because I will just keep on ranting...

Cheers guys.
Chiller.

[macmagoo]

I think the company you work for are being a little naive. If I remember correctly they can have rules for inside their vehicles and on their premises and there is not a lot you can do about it. If there a cams in your van for security purposes then that is all they can be used for. I would be tempted to ask them for another zone for vapers so that you don't have to be near the stinkie brigade.

[Deleted]

Don't know how the van cam works but can you not get someone to do a recording of you behind the wheel and then place the recording over the van cam lens on a loop. Replace the recording accordingly to weather changes - changing clothes - Day and night time.

Surely its bad practice saying you have to vape in the designated smoking zones.

Good luck

[brads42]

Latest guidance from ASH here - smokers and vapers should be kept separate www.ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_933.pdf

[Deleted]

Think you said it in the last paragraph and the last sentence is what I think is your best course of action. 

Yes shut up, be greatfull you don't work in the office where they can inforce the ban and see what you can get away with in your van alone. The more fuss you make will get you no where and possible lead to extra monitoring.

[Perpetua]

Dec 11, 2014 10:18:24 GMT ChillerVapes said:

To be fair, I wouldn't like it if I didn't smoke or vape and someone kept on blowing clouds all over the office or in the canteen but we also can't let a company simply force ecigs to be part of the smoking ban law.

Why not? It's their company to enforce ' rules ' as they see fit . . . even if it is through ignorance.

I'm treated exactly the same as a smoker in my workplace and use the designated shelter to vape, whilst it doesn't thrill me with joy, I accept it.

[ionian]

It strikes me that you need to attack this on two fronts:

Explain the economic benefits of vaping to your company: vaping in your van whilst driving increases your productivity by requiring you to take less breaks.
Explain the economic drawbacks of requiring vapers to be with smokers: Vaping is not smoking, and they are opening themselves up to litigation by exposing non-smokers to passive smoke.

This would be best addressed through a union I would think.

Money, always money - you've got to get across why vaping is good for their bottom line. Nothing else matters to them.