Smoking

Submitted by TMHopkins on Thu, 05/06/2021 - 20:44
Policy: 

Mains’l desires a safe and healthy workplace and work locations for our employees and the people we support. Due to the acknowledged hazards arising from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, i.e., second hand smoke, (the U.S Environmental Protection Agency classifies secondhand smoke as a known cause of lung cancer), it is the policy of Mains’l to provide a smoke free environment for all employees, people receiving services, and visitors.

  • This policy includes all tobacco products and the use of smokeless tobacco.
  • It applies to both employees and non-employee visitors of Mains’l.
  • This policy applies to all environments where people receiving services are present, including all work locations and agency vehicles even when people receiving services are not present.

Failure to follow this policy and procedure may lead to written performance feedback. Mains’l supports those employees who want to stop smoking. Employees who desire information or assistance with smoking cessation can contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227- 2345.

Procedure: 

In consideration of others, maintaining a smoke-free environment is a role we all play a part in as employees of Mains’l. Employees work with people receiving services in several venues:

  • in a person receiving services’ home (leased by Mains’l or owned/rented by the consumer);
  • in the employee’s home;
  • in the community (in public and private places);
  • in vehicles while transporting a person receiving services (owned by Mains’l Services, Inc. or by the employee).
  • Mains’l office(s).

This procedure addresses each of these situations with directives for maintaining a smoke-free environment.

A Person Receiving Services’ Home (leased by Mains’l or owned/rented by a person receiving services)

  1. There is no smoking or use of tobacco products in a person receiving services’ home, by employees, at any time.
  2. Designated smoking areas are individualized to each house, but every smoking area for employee use are to be at least twenty-five (25) feet from the entrance.
  3. All materials used for smoking, including cigarette butts and matches, are to be extinguished and disposed of in appropriate containers.
  4. If a person receiving services chooses to smoke in his/her home, she/he will be encouraged to use the designated smoking area. However, there is no obligation to do so. Employees are required to smoke in designated areas so as not to contribute to the second hand smoke in a person receiving services’ home.
  5. If an employee wants to work in a smoke-free environment, and is currently working with a person receiving services who smokes, a transfer may be requested. 

Employee’s Home (for employees who provide respite services)

  1. While a person receiving services is in the employee’s home, smoking shall be in designated smoking areas. These areas are to be outside the house.
  2. Even though this is the employee’s home, while a person receiving services is staying with the employee, Mains’l ensures a safe and healthy living environment, which includes freedom from second hand smoke.
  3. If the employee cannot abide by this expectation, a person receiving services cannot stay in the employee’s home.
  4. A guardian or a person receiving services may waive this section of the procedure.

In the community (in public and private places):

  1. There is no smoking or use of tobacco products, at any time, while the employee is with a person receiving services.
  2. Arrangements should be made if the outing is for an extended period of time, to allow the employee to have a smoking break, in a designated area, at least twenty-five (25) feet from a person receiving services.

In vehicles while transporting people receiving services (owned by Mains’l or by the employee):

  1. There is no smoking or use of tobacco products, at any time, while the employee is with a person receiving services in a vehicle.
  2. There is no smoking or use of tobacco products, at any time, while the employee is in an agency vehicle, with or without the person receiving services.
  3. If the employee smokes in their vehicle, prior to a person receiving services being in the vehicle, the window should be down and ventilation systems operating. The high concentration of smoke in a small, closed compartment substantially increases the concentration of strong irritants and cancer causing substances in the vehicle.
  4. If a person receiving services has known allergies or respiratory conditions, employees who smoke in their vehicles should not transport a person receiving services.

At Mains’l office(s):

  1. There is no smoking or use of tobacco products, at any time, while the employee is with a person receiving services.
  2. Designated smoking areas are individualized to each location, but every smoking area for employee use are to be at least twenty-five (25) feet from the entrance.
  3. All materials used for smoking, including cigarette butts and matches, are to be extinguished and disposed of in appropriate containers.

Once again, maintaining a smoke-free environment is the responsibility of all employees. Thank you for playing your role as an employee at Mains’l to support this. Also, employees are informed of this policy and procedure at the Human Resources Policy and Procedure training and can access it through the employee portal. Employees who do not meet these expectations may receive written performance feedback.