Staff Vaping Inside Facility Violates Smoke-Free Environment Policy
Penalty
Summary
Multiple residents who were alert and oriented reported observing staff members vaping inside the facility, including in hallways, resident rooms, and the break room. These observations were corroborated by several staff members, including CNAs and the Activities Director, who stated they had witnessed staff vaping in various areas of the building. One resident specifically identified a CNA vaping while pushing a resident in a wheelchair. The reports indicated that vaping occurred on both day and evening shifts and involved several staff members, some of whom were not named. Facility documentation, including an in-service form and the Employee Standards of Conduct, clearly stated that vaping is not permitted within the building and that violations of the non-smoking policy could result in corrective action or termination. Despite these policies and prior in-service training on vaping, staff continued to vape inside the facility, compromising the expectation of a smoke- and vape-free environment for residents.