Businesses urged to review smoking policies
11 January 2007
Law
form Mace and Jones is urging small firms in England and Wales to
review their workplace smoking policies ahead of the smokefree
legislation planned for April 2nd for Wales and July 1st in England.
Head of employment law Martin Edwards said "We recommend that business
owners should start to work on a no-smoking policy now. It is important
employers make sure that they have consulted and communicated the no
smoking message to their staff. A copy of the policy should then be
issued to every member of staff, with a breach of policy being deemed
as a breach of health and safety and gross misconduct. Moreover rooms
should be cleaned up where smoking is currently permitted by getting
them professionally cleaned. It is also worth seeking legal advice
before setting up alternative smoking areas outside, to check they do
not contravene the law."
Originally published in the Mondaq Business Briefing
