Companies based in the UK are being encouraged to prepare for the forthcoming ban on smoking by the TUC.
The organisation has today (Monday 2nd April) published a series of guidelines to help employers create a smoke-free workplace in accordance with the ban which comes into effect as of July 1st this year.
Aimed at union safety representatives, the guide will help them work with employers to implement changes as a result of the ban which will not persecute smokers, will meet all the legal requirements and will fully involve workers.
Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, commented: "With less than three months to go before smoking is outlawed in all English workplaces and public spaces, employers don't have much time to get their act together.
"But with a little thought and forward planning, making a workplace smoke-free can be a fairly painless experience, even for the most hardcore smokers. The key is the involvement of staff.
"There is no need for employers to stop employees from smoking altogether, though companies might want to discourage groups of smokers from gathering outside, particularly if they are in company uniform."
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