SubscribeRefusing to hire smokers
Wednesday, June 18th, 2008An employer in California has given his employees the ultimatum to quit smoking in 15 months or be fired. He has began refusing to hire smokers and extended the ban to employees with family members who smoke. His employees are subject to blood testing to ensure compliance with his rules.
Good for him.
That’s right. I’m outspoken on the rights of smokers, but even more adament about protecting individual and property rights. If this man doesn’t want smokers working for him, he should not be forced to hire them. If one doesn’t like his policies, don’t work for him.
No one has a right to work for this guy.
I can’t really blame him. We now live in a culture that believes it is someone else’s responsibility to pay for healthcare. If I am to be put in a position where I have to provide for your health care, I want some control over what you do about your health and how well you take care of yourself.
Whatever his motivation, it’s his property, his business, and his decision.
Of course, this is how it should be when it comes to bans on smoking in restaurants, bars, and other privately owned businesses. The owner should decide, not the government. It is intellectually dishonest to believe that, then turn around and say a employer shouldn’t be allowed to make decisions like this about whom he hires.
