Reference no: EM133043904
Rob, the Personnel Manager at the ShopRight Super Store, interviewed two candidates for a floor manager position. The candidates had similar resumés-both had about 10 years of relevant experience, and good references-and both interviewed well. When Rob interviewed Cathy, the second candidate, he noticed that she was a smoker. He could tell by the smell of her clothes and breath, and he noticed a pack of Camel Lights in her purse when she opened it to find a pen. He decided to hire Jen, the first candidate.
Since both candidates were good, Rob had to go with what he called "soft" reasons, the central one of which was that Cathy was a smoker. Rob didn't like smoking-he considered it disgusting, and a sign of weakness of character; anyone with a strong personality would have the determination to quit. In the back of his mind, Rob also felt that he was doing his employer a favor. The company had a good health plan-for the moment. But smokers and other unhealthy people were putting increasing strain on employer sponsored health insurance plans.
According to the National Workrights Institute, 25% of those surveyed would be less likely to hire someone who was a smoker (NWI, p.1). Although employer health expenditures for smokers are indeed higher on average than for nonsmokers, other "modifiable" risk factors such as depression, stress, and obesity actually may cost employers more (Health Enhancement Research Organization).
Discussion Questions
1. Was Rob's choice justified? Why or why not?
2. Is it fair for an employer to refuse to hire a smoker? What about an overweight person? (Are there any relevant differences between a smoker and an overweight person?) Be sure to define what you mean by 'fair.'
3. Does the job position being filled-floor manager-make any relevant difference in this case? If not, can you think of a position where smoking would be relevant?
4. Should employers be free not to hire employees whose personal behaviors are considered high-risk?
5. Should employers be able to restrict employee's high risk behavior? Why or why not?