“Resisting the Ban”: A story and commentary about the morality and pragmatism of nurses policing a “smoke free” policy
Journal of Organizational Ethnography
ISSN: 2046-6749
Article publication date: 14 September 2018
Issue publication date: 26 September 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an evocative story “Resisting the Ban” which illustrates the ethical and pragmatic issues that nurses face when contending with smoking ban policies in inpatient psychiatric settings.
Design/methodology/approach
The creative story “Resisting the Ban” was developed based on an organisational auto-ethnographic approach. The story was crafted through employing creative writing techniques and through framing and critiquing memories via several theoretical frames.
Findings
The story illustrates how smoking ban policies have created pragmatic and ethical issues on wards. The work practices of nurses have changed as have their relationships with patients. The liberties of involuntary patients have also been infringed.
Research limitations/implications
This approach can illuminate links between acts of resistance and issues associated with public policies.
Practical implications
The effects of smoking bans need to be considered more carefully particularly in relation to their effects on workers and patients. The social meaning of the smoking bans needs closer investigation. Policy needs to be recrafted so that it better addresses the liberties of involuntary patients. Also ward nurses need to be able to carry out their roles in a manner which is consistent with their values.
Social implications
Public policies, such as smoking bans, can produce negative consequences maligning relationships, practices and cultures. Critical auto-ethnography provides a means of understanding issues that have resulted from problematic policies.
Originality/value
Scholarly work conducted on the relationship between everyday resistance in workplaces and public policies is rare. This study offers new “insider” insights into the negative effects of a smoking ban policy in psychiatric inpatient settings.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers, the editors and the different persons and she was able to formally and informally interact with in order to think through the complexities involved in discussing this topic.
Citation
Jonrad, E. (2018), "“Resisting the Ban”: A story and commentary about the morality and pragmatism of nurses policing a “smoke free” policy", Journal of Organizational Ethnography, Vol. 7 No. 3, pp. 263-284. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOE-11-2017-0056
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited