Chelsea Community Hospital Supports Beaumont's "No-Nicotine" Hiring Policy

Beaumont and Henry Ford health systems announced Friday that they will not hire job applicants who use tobacco products, effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Job applicants will be screened for signs of nicotine as part of the hiring process.

Beaumont and Henry Ford join a growing number of local and national health care systems that have implemented a no-nicotine hiring policy, reinforcing their commitment to good health and wellness.

“As health care providers, we have a responsibility to take a leadership role in promoting healthy behaviors – starting with ourselves,” says Beaumont’s president and CEO Gene Michalski.

Nancy Graebner, CEO of Chelsea Community Hospital said she applauds the decision.

"We think Beaumont, Henry Ford Health System and Detroit Medical Center are the doing the right thing in support of the health of the community," Graebner said. "We are paying close attention to this matter and are considering our options. In fact, our campuses are entirely smoke-free and we offer health plans that include incentives for nicotine-free lifestyles."

While the screening and ban on nicotine use only applies to new job applicants, Beaumont and Henry Ford also are enhancing their existing policies that prohibit the use of tobacco at their facilities, launched in 2007. This includes prohibiting employees from using tobacco products or smelling of tobacco at any time during their workday.

The measure represents Beaumont’s and Henry Ford’s ongoing commitment to patient safety and employee wellness. Tobacco products include but are not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes. Employees who violate these policies are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Through its myOptimal Health employee wellness program, Beaumont will reward employees and spouses who don’t smoke or who participate in a smoking cessation program with a premium credit on their health insurance contributions. Smoking cessation programs and aids are also available as a support for employees and their spouses at no cost to them.

Henry Ford offers Health Alliance Plan's Health Engagement program, which offers lower out-of-pocket costs for employees who meet certain lifestyle requirements, including not using tobacco products. Smoking cessation support, which may include counseling, classes and medications, are also available to all employees and their family members at no cost.