Smokers in Russia are increasingly facing problems when seeking employment.

      07 October 2025 17:36 Society

      Russian employers have increasingly been refusing to hire smokers due to reduced productivity. According to Garry Muradyan, an HR management expert and a member of the expert council under the State Duma Labor Committee, the reasons for such refusals run much deeper.

      Analysts have calculated that, on average, a smoker spends about 138 hours a year on smoke breaks, which significantly reduces their effectiveness at work.

      Muradyan told 360.ru that in conditions of an acute labor shortage and an unchanged volume of tasks, such breaks can negatively affect the team's overall productivity.

      In addition, smoking employees require a separate room for smoking, which involves additional costs for equipment and upkeep. This also creates inconveniences for non-smoking colleagues, who have to put up with the smell of tobacco.

      The expert also noted that smoking employees more often seek medical care, which increases the company's insurance costs. Furthermore, smoking areas can become places where conflicts and gossip arise, which negatively affects the atmosphere in the workplace.

      Creating separate groups based on the presence or absence of harmful habits can lead to division among staff and the emergence of tension. At the same time, an employee cannot be fired for smoking, as this would violate their rights. In case of a conflict, the worker can appeal to the labor inspectorate or the court, which will most likely side with them.

      All of this is forcing some employers to reconsider their hiring policies.

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