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Telling me I cant Vape at work

Professor Xavier

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UPS has no policy concerning vaping or no policy has been produces to me, despite my multiple request. I was written up for using my vaping in the UPS hub recently, something I have done for years prior. When I asked where I was to go to use my device I was told outside in the break area with the tobacco smokers. When I protested, saying I am not a smoker and should not have my health put at risk by having to breathe in 2nd hand smoke I was told by my supervisor "I don't know what to tell you". I have talk to safety department (who has a member that vapes upstairs in the office), Human Resources and several high level management member all who are unaware of any policy concerning the use of electronic cigarettes. My right are being violated please help.
 

MrScaryZ

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UPS has no policy concerning vaping or no policy has been produces to me, despite my multiple request. I was written up for using my vaping in the UPS hub recently, something I have done for years prior. When I asked where I was to go to use my device I was told outside in the break area with the tobacco smokers. When I protested, saying I am not a smoker and should not have my health put at risk by having to breathe in 2nd hand smoke I was told by my supervisor "I don't know what to tell you". I have talk to safety department (who has a member that vapes upstairs in the office), Human Resources and several high level management member all who are unaware of any policy concerning the use of electronic cigarettes. My right are being violated please help.
the bottom line is its Human resources obligation to have their attorneys look into it . Go to Human resources get a disclaimer saying their is no policy prohibity vaping devices then it doesnt matter what your supervisor says thats how you handle it... Or just do not vape
 

OB61887

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Duplicate post for duplicate thread,

What state/county are you in? In King County Washington, vaping has the same restrictions as smoking in terms of doing it inside or near entrances to buildings. While I understand that you do not want second hand smoke from smokers in the smoking area, the same applies to those who do not want second hand vapor from vaping. We only maintain our rights when they do not harm others and, while the risks of vaping are largely unknown, it is still not healthy. Only healthier than smoking.
 

MrScaryZ

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Duplicate post for duplicate thread,

What state/county are you in? In King County Washington, vaping has the same restrictions as smoking in terms of doing it inside or near entrances to buildings. While I understand that you do not want second hand smoke from smokers in the smoking area, the same applies to those who do not want second hand vapor from vaping. We only maintain our rights when they do not harm others and, while the risks of vaping are largely unknown, it is still not healthy. Only healthier than smoking.
And how do you know where he lives?
 

fq06

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You could go to HR and take it up the corporate ladder.
That will not be in your best interest imo. You don't want your immediate supervisor to be your enemy.

Maybe he/she can't fire you for vaping if you win, but they may find some other reason or if there are cuts... you will be first in line.

Sure, you can force the issue and you may win the right to vape in the hub... but you may not be working at UPS for very long so you can vape to your hearts content at home.

Bottom line is bosses don't like their subordinates going over their heads. When you argued the point, "I don't know what to tell you" was a warning.
 

OB61887

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Yes and no. If you want to advance at UPS, I would take the hit and walk away. If you don't plan on leaving the teamsters, you can probably challenge it. The teamsters, at least in WA, are stupid strong. When I was at UPS, you couldn't get fired unless you stole or lied about your hours.
 
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fq06

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There is always a way to "manage" someone out. If you take on this battle, you better have perfect attendance and not a minute late in or a minute early out. Perfect job performance. Most states are 3 verbal or written warnings about anything and you are gone.

You put yourself under a microscope that you would have been better avoiding.

Most of these situations are win the battle, lose the war. So not worth it imo.
I would just go outside and have a vape. I'm sure the manager would understand if you wanted to go around the corner from the stinky smokers and would see that request as you trying to comply with their request.

If you play the political game long enough (and well) you can work your way into management after your boss moves up the ladder and out of your area and then you can make the rules.
 

Professor Xavier

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You could go to HR and take it up the corporate ladder.
That will not be in your best interest imo. You don't want your immediate supervisor to be your enemy.

Maybe he/she can't fire you for vaping if you win, but they may find some other reason or if there are cuts... you will be first in line.

Sure, you can force the issue and you may win the right to vape in the hub... but you may not be working at UPS for very long so you can vape to your hearts content at home.

Bottom line is bosses don't like their subordinates going over their heads. When you argued the point, "I don't know what to tell you" was a warning.
We are unionized so he cannot just fire me so easily without me giving him clear reason, stealing and violence are the only two zero tolerance issues and I am in the clear on both. As for him having it out for me we have harassment policy in place to handle that.
 

Professor Xavier

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Yes and no. If you want to advance at UPS, I would take the hit and walk away. If you don't plan on leaving the teamsters, you can probably challenge it. The teamsters, at least in WA, are stupid strong. When I was at UPS, you couldn't get fired unless you stole or lied about your hours.
much is still the same as far as being fired and I have the teamsters working on it, I was just try to get more legal and concrete information on vaping laws and policy
 

robtest

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They should have told you what "rule" you violated when they wrote you up ???
 

Professor Xavier

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There is always a way to "manage" someone out. If you take on this battle, you better have perfect attendance and not a minute late in or a minute early out. Perfect job performance. Most states are 3 verbal or written warnings about anything and you are gone.

You put yourself under a microscope that you would have been better avoiding.

Most of these situations are win the battle, lose the war. So not worth it imo.
I would just go outside and have a vape. I'm sure the manager would understand if you wanted to go around the corner from the stinky smokers and would see that request as you trying to comply with their request.

If you play the political game long enough (and well) you can work your way into management after your boss moves up the ladder and out of your area and then you can make the rules.

I totally get where you are coming from and I have sat and thought whether this was a battle worth fighting. To me it is, UPS is just a part time night job for me and I have a full time career by day, I have no wish to move up in the company here .. I work there solely to take advantage of their superb healthcare benefits.. I feel like it would be one of the many battles that need to be fought for vaping rights, I may not win the war here but I am ok with that
 

OB61887

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}:-{D

giphy.gif
 

MD_Boater

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Just one minute. I am a manager, and a Republican. I don't know the first damn thing about unions. But isn't this EXACTLY why you pay these organizations to represent you? Let them fight the "Our non smoking members do not want to be subjected to secondhand smoke" battle for you. Seriously. They are supposed to help you. If they are not, then you should quit paying them.
 

oncebitten

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UPS has no policy concerning vaping or no policy has been produces to me, despite my multiple request. I was written up for using my vaping in the UPS hub recently, something I have done for years prior. When I asked where I was to go to use my device I was told outside in the break area with the tobacco smokers. When I protested, saying I am not a smoker and should not have my health put at risk by having to breathe in 2nd hand smoke I was told by my supervisor "I don't know what to tell you". I have talk to safety department (who has a member that vapes upstairs in the office), Human Resources and several high level management member all who are unaware of any policy concerning the use of electronic cigarettes. My right are being violated please help.

There is no right to vape in a workplace. It's up to your employer.
 

fq06

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True, but it sounds like the employer hasn't had to make a rule yet.

I see a new rule coming :D

They won't risk complaints from 99% of their work force to accommodate the 1% that vapes. In their minds that also a possible lawsuit(s) 5 years down the road if vaping is found to be harmful.

They don't know and they don't want to find out the hard way.
 

InMyImage

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UPS is a coveted job, or at least it used to be. I would talk to your shop foreman about the issue and make it clear that the most significant issue to you is 1) getting the write up removed from your work record because it will affect raises and what not in the future. 2) Ask them to request an official policy and if necessary a designated area that does not expose you to 2nd hand smoke, but complies with a reasonable, consistent policy on the issue.

It's always better to tackle an issue in the of requesting clear information and a consistent policy decision that the leads and managers understand and can apply universally and the employees know what and when to comply with while protecting their own health.

But keep in mind that in a unionized shop, you need to work this through your shop foreman, not individually on your own. They will have the power and relationships to work for you even though it is a personal issue. Additionally, pissing them off is worse for you than pissing off a direct superior in a unionized shop.

Bill
 

RyGon

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Speaking of health insurance, I have a friend that's works for Coke and he said they recently had a big meeting where they were informed that they all had to be nic free in 12 months or their insurance will more than double. They specifically included ecigs and all forms of tobacco and said that if they claim cig free and ever test positive in the future they would be fired for breach of contract.
 

Celtic Fog

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Speaking of health insurance, I have a friend that's works for Coke and he said they recently had a big meeting where they were informed that they all had to be nic free in 12 months or their insurance will more than double. They specifically included ecigs and all forms of tobacco and said that if they claim cig free and ever test positive in the future they would be fired for breach of contract.

tell your friend to buy his own insurance outside of the company. He will get a bigger paycheck without the insurance deductions and be able to put that towards his insurance. If he is single, it would be cheaper to get insurance outside his company nowadays anyways. Its almost always cheaper now to Insure yourself rather than get it through a company....
 

RyGon

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tell your friend to buy his own insurance outside of the company. He will get a bigger paycheck without the insurance deductions and be able to put that towards his insurance. If he is single, it would be cheaper to get insurance outside his company nowadays anyways. Its almost always cheaper now to Insure yourself rather than get it through a company....
Yeah that's probably true. Good idea.
 

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