Boss Terminates Non-Smoking Employees

January 11, 2008 6:49 a.m. EST

Berlin, Germany (AHN) - An employer for a German company fired three of its ten workers, who he claimed were "disturbing the peace" by demanding a smoke-free environment.

The protests of the three employees were in response to the regulation that although citizens have been prohibited from smoking in pubs and restaurants, they were still allowed to light up in small offices.

The employer, Thomas Jensen from an IT company Buesum, said that the protests of the non-smokers had been the cause of disruptions.

"Smokers have always been our best employees. Non-smokers interfere with corporate peace," Jensen was quoted by MSNBC. "Our non-smoking employees were actually convinced that they had the right to smoke-free zones. They just complained all the time about smoking, and I don't like grumbles."

Jensen continued by explaining that considering the nature of the workplace, "it's just easier to work while smoking."

"Everyone picks on smokers these days," he said. "It's time for revenge. I'm only going to hire smokers from now on."

According to a CityNews article, the three terminated employees are planning to file a lawsuit against Jensen.