In Aarhus Municipality, as of Wednesday, employees are no longer allowed to use snuff or other nicotine products during working hours. This step has been taken as an extension of the existing smoking policy, which now covers all forms of nicotine. The decision, which was adopted by the city council in March, affects around 28,000 municipal employees. They are not allowed to smoke, use snuff, or consume any other nicotine products during working hours or in the municipality’s work clothes. Violation of this policy will be handled in accordance with the general employment law rules, says Betina Thysk Gammelgaard, HR consultant and team coordinator at Health and Care in Aarhus Municipality.
“It will be handled based on a specific and individual assessment,” says Gammelgaard. “The first time the policy is violated, it will usually result in a reprimand. Repeated violations can lead to warnings and, in the worst case, termination.” Although enforcing the ban on snuff pouches may seem more challenging than a ban on cigarettes, Gammelgaard emphasizes that the leaders in the municipality will not change their approach.
“We do not expect leaders to constantly monitor their employees. It is not our personnel policy,” she explains. During the city council meeting where the ban was adopted, it was also emphasized that adults should act as role models for the youth. Health councillor Christian Budde (V) added in a written response to Ritzau that it is important for the municipality to signal that nicotine products are not acceptable in the work culture in Aarhus Municipality.
This new policy is part of the municipality’s value-based personnel policy, and general compliance with the rules is expected, Gammelgaard concludes.