BERLIN (Reuters) - The owner of a small German computer company
has fired three non-smoking workers because they were threatening
to disturb the peace after they requested a smoke-free
environment.
The manager of the 10-person IT company in Buesum, named Thomas J.,
told the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper he had fired the trio
because their non-smoking was causing disruptions.
Germany introduced non-smoking rules in pubs and restaurants on
January 1, but Germans working in small offices are still allowed
to smoke.
"I can't be bothered with trouble-makers," Thomas was quoted
saying. "We're on the phone all the time and it's just easier to
work while smoking. Everyone picks on smokers these days. It's time
for revenge. I'm only going to hire smokers from now on."
Payback time!
