Union Pacific Hiring Practices

[ROCK4329]

I was reading an article in Bloomberg Businessweek magazine last night, and was surprised at what I found out. Appears that Union Pacific WILL NOT hire anyone that smokes. Now, I understand rules about not being able to smoke while on duty, or even on their property, but to not hire smokers AT ALL??? Is it me, or would this fall under discrimination??? A job shouldn't tell you that you can't smoke while NOT on duty, or on their property!!! What do any of you think of all this?

And yes, I did read the article fully, They WILL NOT hire you if you smoke!!!!

 

[laredosub]

"Are you a smoker?" NO...

A couple of years ago I got invited to a hiring session as they were going over our applications if anyone put "yes" on the question where it ask if we were smokers we would not have been invited. They told us that the company really cares about its employees health now. Next thing will be healthy eating even workout program. HOW OFTEN DO YOU EAT FAST FOOD? My guess is that the company just want to know how health you are before investing in the training for the conductor certification.

 

[cnw and up fan]

there are a lot of companies doing that now. the reason is cause smokers cost a lot of money to the health insurance companies cause they do get sick a lot. so in order to lower there health insurance premiums they decided not to hire any smokers. its not just the union pacific either google and other companies are doing the same

 

[andrewjonathon]

It makes sense to me. Lung cancer treatment is an expensive thing to pay for and after you finish paying the bill you usually don't get the employee back either.

 

[roee]

Yes, that is UP's practice. If you apply for a job at UP on the web (only way to get a job at UP) they will ask a series of question depending on the job, but one of them will be are you a smoker. If you mark yes, your application is dumped, and I would assume flagged and every other time you apply even if you put no, it'll be dumped.

So make sure you mark no that you are not a smoker.

 

[mille-ryan]

Little tip, you need to give the answers they wanna here not what you think is right or true...sad too say it but its true. I wish they would follow through with the all high and mighty no smoking policy....its a damn joke out here, units,trucks ( brand new ones too),shops all smell like smoke and and have ashes and junk all over and UP will do zip about it. They hire you sayin oh yeah smoke free place of bizz i was like hell yeah at last...then you work one day and find out its all smoke (no pun intended ) and mirrors...lol. Go through a program to quit ,they love seeing that crap.

 

[SamReeves]

Just don't tell them you're a smoking foamer.

 

[cotton_belt]

When I did my hiring session 8 years ago, we went to break during the interview. The interviewer looked outside and everyone that was smoking was told to leave and dont come back. A lot of companies have started to not hire smokers. Its a insurance thing. I just recently went to a electronic cigarette and its a better alternative, I think. I dont have to go outside to smoke now.

 

[April]

I assume chewing tobacco is also prohibited.

April

 

[mille-ryan]

Yup april but like the rest of the rules, only apply when they have nothing else to pick on. The chew is as nasty as the ciggs, we have a manager who spits all over the ramps and then wants us all to care and take pride, clean ,clean clean,......but I dont think he even relizes he spits that nasty goo everywhere lol.

 

[SuperToad]

I am around many of the hiring sessions and know the recruiters and if you smoke you wont get called for the interview. I just wish they wouldn’t hire aholes, and forget about the smokers! lol. Everyone brakes the smoking rules constantly on the up.

 

[mille-ryan]

I am around many of the hiring sessions and know the recruiters and if you smoke you wont get called for the interview. I just wish they wouldn’t hire aholes, and forget about the smokers! lol. Everyone brakes the smoking rules constantly on the up.

LOL true but Im pretty sure if you have over 20 years in being an ahole seems like a god given right. Its crazy how little we work together or help one another because of the horrible attitudes out there.

 

[sulkair]

I grew up with a UPRR engineer Dad. (he smoked by the way) But other than him being cronically tired - I always thought my Dad had a great Job. I never forgot how cool It was that he could pick up the phone and lay off for any given reason. We're talking 1970s and 80s here. If he'd need some time to catch up on his rest, or had something to do, he just picked up the phone and there was always a friendly voice on the other end to say no problem Nick!

It seemed like long about the mid to late 90's that became tougher and tougher for my Dad to do. Then by the time I hired on the UP in 2000 it was something that you'd better use sparingly. I can't imagine if it is even possible to get away with anymore these days.

I have always felt that as long as you don't mind taking the hit in your pay check - why not be able to lay off? I'm an airline pilot now, and forget about it - you better not take more than 2 trips a year off, or you're in the Chief Pilot's office. our version of the Train Master or MTO.

I guess I'm a little off topic here, but in the spirit of the thread - I just Lament that so much has changed. I guess these things do make the company more profitable. Higher productivity and all, but it has come at a huge expense to the quality of life for those who give their life blood to make it all work.

 

[Pat]

I was reading an article in Bloomberg Businessweek magazine last night, and was surprised at what I found out. Appears that Union Pacific WILL NOT hire anyone that smokes. Now, I understand rules about not being able to smoke while on duty, or even on their property, but to not hire smokers AT ALL??? Is it me, or would this fall under discrimination??? A job shouldn't tell you that you can't smoke while NOT on duty, or on their property!!! What do any of you think of all this?

And yes, I did read the article fully, They WILL NOT hire you if you smoke!!!!

It's becoming more common and it has survived court challanges. The college near me won't hire you if you smoke and will fire you if you start later. My brother interviewed with a hospital that won't hire you if smoke or live with someone that smokes and the screen for it. I figure over weight folks are next.

 

[sulkair]

I know many engineers used to light up a smoke to help them stay awake during the really tough hours. Of course it wasn't allowed, but guys were always courteous enough to ask if I minded. I never had a problem with it as long as they cracked the window. It seemed like it breathed some life into them.