The foggy breaktime debate sparking up resentment in UK workplaces

Non-smokers can be left feeling short-changed (Picture: Getty Images/Image Source) Across the UK, around 9 million adults smoke or vape — which means a whole lot of trips outside to have ‘a quick puff’. For non-smokers, this seems to be most apparent (and most frustrating) in the workplace. Reddit is full of debate about what Aussies call the ‘smoko’, with many saying they feel they get a raw deal compared to nicotine-addicted colleagues. On one r/AskUK thread, dualdee commented that in their view, smoking was ‘rewarded with extra breaks’, while BarraDonner bemoaned ‘double standards from management’ who let some staff take constant smoking breaks while the rest soldiered on. Another user said smokers ‘really p*** [them] off’, writing: ‘I’m not allowed 5/10 minutes in the morning and afternoon to step away from my desk and get some fresh air. But if someone smokes, they can step away from their desk every hour.’ ‘I think non-smokers and non-vapers ought to get an extra three days paid leave each year in order to compensate,’ added Belle_TainSummer. There’s no official right to smoke breaks in UK employment law (Picture: Getty Images) Others, however, argued against the idea smokers were afforded an unfair advantage in this respect. One, martzgregpaul, wrote: ‘My two four-minute fag breaks a day pale into insignificance compared to the people who complain about me getting them, who see no issue with four 15-minute tea breaks, three long toilet trips and multiple chats at peoples’ desks about their kids/dogs/weekend plans.’ ‘Most people, smoker or not, spend around the same times breaking,’ added Barca-Dam ‘The only difference is the smoker has to go outside… so I think smoke breaks are just noticed more and people think we break more.’ Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. It’s clearly a divisive issue. But despite clear opinions from employees on what bosses should do, they aren’t beholden to any official rules. ‘There’s no legal right to a smoke break in the UK,’ Claire Hawes, chief people and operations officer at HR software provider Ciphr, tells Metro. ‘However, if you work more than six hours, you’re entitled to one uninterrupted 20-minute rest break, and what you do with that is your business.’ In her experience, most employers land on one of three approaches here: smokers use their normal breaks like everyone else, extra breaks are allowed but the time is tracked and made up, or it’s left to staff’s discretion. What is your opinion on workplace smoke breaks? They are a necessary allowance for smokers.Check They should be equally balanced with non-smokers' breaks.Check Extra breaks should not be permitted, regardless of reason.Check Claire explains: ‘The first two are quite clear cut, although possibly a bit draconian in today’s more flexible working world. ‘The third is where it can get a bit messy; one employee takes five trips outside a day, another gets a raised eyebrow. Resentment can build fast. Nothing sours a team quicker than the feeling that someone’s getting away with something – or being treated more favourably.’ On the other hand, Christine Schneider, HCPC registered clinical psychologist and BACP senior accredited psychotherapist, notes smokers can be left feeling ‘guilty or defensive because they’re aware of, or perceive, their colleagues to be judging them.’ Likening it to the Friends episode where Rachel is excluded from exciting decisions being made in the work smoking area, she tells Metro: ‘There’s also this social element where employees who regularly go outside together might start to develop friendships and have conversations that other colleagues aren’t part of.’ What’s considered an acceptable smoke break? While there’s no set guideline here, the general consensus can be summed up by Redditor Morganx27’s comment: ‘Don’t take the p***.’ Claire stresses the importance of balance from employers, adding: ‘Write a clear policy, apply it to everyone, and judge people on what they deliver rather than how often they’re at their desk. ‘If a non-smoker fancies 10 minutes round the block, give them the same flexibility.’ When it comes to employees, Christine says that although smokers shouldn’t need to ‘feel as if they should apologise every time they step outside,’ consideration is key. ‘Make sure you’re not leaving someone else to constantly pick up your responsibilities,’ she continues. ‘It also helps to keep work decisions out of smoking or vaping breaks, or bring any ideas back to the wider team before decisions are made, so nobody misses out.’ It’s all about fairness (Picture: Getty Images) Non-smokers benefit from showing a little grace to their nicotine-addicted co-workers where possible too — but in order to stop grumbles becoming full-blown grievances, it’s worth delving deeper into the real issue. Christine explains: ‘Is it that your colleagues are taking more breaks, or that you don’t feel comfortable stepping away from your own work? Sometimes we become so focused on what someone else is getting that we overlook what we’re denying ourselves. ‘If your workplace allows short breaks, there’s no reason you shouldn’t take a few minutes to get some fresh air or make a drink simply because you don’t smoke. However, if you’re regularly covering someone else’s workload, that’s a legitimate concern worth addressing.’ She recommends having a non-accusatory conversation with your team and then your manager if nothing changes, focusing on ‘finding an arrangement that everyone considers fair.’ Back in 2017, one workplace in Japan decided the best way to level the playing field was to give non-smoking staff six extra paid days off each year; a policy various other firms later followed in the footsteps of. Piala Inc spokesperson Hirotaka Matsushima said the incentive was designed to ‘encourage employees to quit smoking through incentives rather than penalties or coercion’, with four reportedly giving up their habit shortly after it was introduced. Whether this approach actually transformed company culture, however — or merely added another source of friction for staff — is another question entirely. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: ‘Loud working’ takes up 131 hours a year — and employees are quitting because of it Arrow MORE: Smoking bill consultation flooded by AI bot ‘spam’, new research shows Arrow MORE: Teenage waitress on £7 an hour wins £13,000 after being sworn at for dropping apple crumble