Smoking, Drinking, Over-Eating

[Kitsune]

The standard pee-in-a-cup test might get much more detailed, soon. I was surprised to see some companies are now firing employees because they smoke off the job so that healthcare costs stay down. Alcohol consumption is already on the list at a few places and overweight/fitness testing is logically the next step (and already being used in some terminations in police forces).

Besides the issue of smokers being barely productive at the office -- it must be nice to take a 10min break nearly every hour! -- I'm confused as to why employees aren't being given the option to purchase their own healthcare if they want to smoke. Employers have always had the option, in most states, to fire anyone for any reason. But are your personal, legal choices really grounds for termination?

Smoking is already a damn expensive habit where I work: insurance costs an extra $600/year if anyone in your family lights up.

It is going to be a very sad day, however, when testing for alcohol consumption becomes commonplace. Sigh.