RIYADH: A Riyadh-based company that specializes in business electronics has announced financial incentives for staff members who give up smoking in the workplace.
Smokers who quit during work hours are promised SR5,000 each. The incentives are being offered to protect non-smoking staff from secondary smoke.
Mohammad Al-Arifi, director of financial and administrative affairs at Al-Elm Company, said the decision was taken in the interests of both smokers and non-smokers. “Since many countries ban smoking in the workplace, we saw there was a need to take the lead in making such systems real,” Al-Arifi said.
“Thanks to the successful internal campaign launched by the company against smoking, quitting has become a target for some staff members, including some heavy smokers,” he added.
Al-Arifi said the team overseeing the campaign has received several requests from employees wanting to quit. “The motives, of course, were not just financial. The campaign is also meant for creating a healthy working environment for employees and visitors,” he added.
“The results achieved so far are pleasing. We ultimately want to set an example for other companies,” he added.
The campaign includes a variety of activities, including a four-day exhibition that is being held in cooperation with the Anti-Smoking Charitable Society, and lectures by specialized consultants to raise awareness against smoking.
Al-Elm is a joint stock company with the Saudi Public Investment Fund holding the majority stakes.
