Daily Buzz: The great work debate as smokers shunned

SMOKERS TOLD NOT TO APPLY FOR JOBS

It’s technically discrimination, but more and more job ads are cropping up telling smokers they need not apply for work. And they’re not just jobs in the health industry, either. They’re for positions as receptionists, disability workers, drivers, personal trainers.

Acting Victorian Equal Opportunity Commissioner Karen Toohey said job advertisements must not discriminate.

“Stipulating smokers need not apply for a job may be against the law. Employers should not seek to exclude smokers from applying for a position, unless the need not to smoke is an inherent requirement of the role,” she said.

It’s led to arguments about smokers’ productivity in the workplace. So, where do you stand?

1. Tom Cruise is looking very … well, whatever that is. That and the pictures of the week:

2. Australia’s oldest backpacker is 95. And he’s awesome. He’s been to 23 countries and 109 cities and started travelling on his own a decade ago after his wife died.

3. George Clooney is holding one of the biggets fundraisers ever for US President Barack Obama. It’s a dinner with the President at his own home, a list of Hollywood royalty and maybe … you. He sold raffle tickets for the final two spots at a few bucks a pop. The winners are announced today.

4. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott handed down his budget reply speech last night, saying the Government’s policy was about ‘class warfare’ and that it should be helping the country’s most vulnerable by making them self-reliant. One of his plans was to make every preschool-aged child learn a second language.

5. Mad Men actor Jon Hamm has given some hilarious (and at times useful) advice to girls who sent in questions. Here it is: