Is workplace vaping more acceptable than smoking?

Vaping has become increasingly divisive when it comes to workplace etiquette.

While employees can’t agree on vaping in the workplace, it’s clear that the custom has already become entrenched.

Beyond the 57 per cent of employees who have witnessed vaping in the workplace, 43 per cent have noticed it more than once, and almost a third have seen someone vape during a virtual work meeting, according to a recent people2people survey.

Head of HR Solutions at people2people Recruitment, Suhini Wijayasinghe, said the findings reinforce the importance of ensuring workplace expectations are clear and address potential misinterpretations. With regards to vaping, she said many are unaware that the rules are similar to that of cigarettes despite being perceived as an alternative.

She explained: “Vaping is treated in the same way as cigarette smoking in enclosed indoor workplaces. This generally includes offices, lunchrooms, bathrooms,warehouses and enclosed company vehicles.”

“People may not always be aware that the same rules apply to vaping, particularly because vaping products look, smell and operate differently from traditional cigarettes. Clear communication can help remove uncertainty and ensure everyone understands where vaping is permitted."

In this way, Wijayasinghe suggested employers meet employees at their misunderstandings by making sure policies refer to both smoking and vaping.

She continued: "Using specific language can help employees understand that the same restrictions apply. It is also helpful to explain where employees can go during a break, whether a designated outdoor area is available and who they can speak to when they have questions about the policy."

Remote work practices truly divided respondents, with 55 per cent of respondents agreeing that vaping during virtual meetings was never acceptable, 34 per cent finding it appropriate if the camera is turned off and 11 per cent finding it alright when the employee is working from home.

Wijayasinghe noted that remote working has created new challenges for employers with regards to the boundaries of the working environment, allowing for disagreements about personal activity and professional expectations, especially when it comes to clients and colleagues.

While the issue as it relates to working from home management is a significant one, she said that coming to a shared understanding and allowing employees to ask equations will be more effective than making assumptions.

This also applies to different generational perceptions, with Gen Z the most likely to both say they had vaped at work and believe it was acceptable to vape during work meetings. As expected, older generations exhibited higher disapproval of vaping during virtual meetings.

Wijayasinghe reinforced the importance of employers reviewing workplace policies to reflect contemporary trends and practices, noting that any prohibition should also come with designated outdoor areas, as well as regulations for different working arrangements.

She surmised: “The purpose of a clear policy is not to judge people’s personal choices.”

“A neutral explanation of the rules, supported by practical information about permitted areas and available wellbeing resources, can be more useful than assuming employees already know what applies.”

“This is ultimately a conversation about clarity.”

Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make HR Leader a preferred news source on Google.