Minnesota receptionist says she was fired for smelling like cigarette smoke; claims discrimination

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ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — A medical receptionist at a St. Louis Park cancer center says she was unfairly fired for smelling like cigarette smoke.

Stephanie Cannon, of Fridley, said she's been a smoker for 18 years and burns through nearly a pack of Camels each day. Cannon was a receptionist at Park Nicollet Health Services in the Frauenshuh Cancer Center. She said she followed the hospital's policy of no smoking at any time on the premises.

Six weeks after she started, Cannon says her supervisor told her not to come to work smelling like smoke. She says she stopped smoking on breaks and in her car, and bought new clothes. But last week Cannon was fired. She claims she's a victim of discrimination.

Cannon told KSTP-TV that she's exploring legal remedies as she looks for a new job.

Park Nicollet declined comment to KSTP, citing confidentiality on personnel matters.

A representative of the American Civil Liberties Union told the TV station that state law forbids employers from firing staff for legal activities conducted outside of work hours, away from the workplace - except if that activity is deemed an occupational hazard.

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