Lately, I have witnessed many workers from many different companies smoking right outside of the business. I thought this might slow down in the wake of more stringent non-smoking policies, but it seems to have gotten worse.
Smoking directly outside of a retail store, grocery store, bakery or restaurant is bad enough, with the smoke-filled air being a real turn-off for non-smokers (and even some smokers!), but when you add loud gossip, loud coughing and spitting, it becomes many times worse.
How can a company let these sorts of thing happen in direct public view? It's bad enough when it's in front of an electronics dealer, but in front of a grocery store, restaurant or bakery? That's just gross. It looks bad on the business, and even worse on the immediate management.
Solution - aside from adopting smoking cessation programs, smokers should be allowed to go to the rear of the building and smoke in a designated smoking area, away from the public and away from any open doors or windows. I'm not against smokers, but when an employee is wearing company colors, a logo or a name badge, they should stay out of sight. People know that people smoke, but don't let your brand look bad!!
