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You've observed that native cigarettes have become a hot commodity among employees in your workplace, even those in supervisory roles. Indeed, it appears to have become a lucrative sideline business for some of your co-workers, who openly sell them at work. But to you, peddling cheap, tax-free tobacco is a questionable practice, one step removed from dope dealing. Should you mind your own business and ignore the practice, or bring the matter to the attention of HR and ask that steps be taken to stop the selling and use of native cigarettes on company property? The responses Thank you for raising a very interesting issue. As the director of the RCMP's customs and excise program, I can assure you that the scenario presented is not uncommon. In recent years, contraband tobacco has become more and more prevalent in Canada - not only in the workplace but in the community at large. Buyers and sellers of so-called "contraband cigarettes" are not interested in where they came from or their legal status. Smokers are simply interested in cheap cigarettes to satisfy their smoking addiction, justifying their actions by claiming tax avoidance on what they perceive to be an overtaxed product. Here's the hard truth: The contraband tobacco market is controlled by criminal organizations who exploit communities and use their profits to bankroll other criminal activities, such as drug trafficking. In addition to the impact of organized crime, cheap smokes drive up the incidence of smoking, particularly with youth. If that isn't enough to weigh into an ethical debate, then I'll leave you with one final thought. Buying and selling contraband cigarettes is illegal and shouldn't be tolerated anywhere. Besides "sticking it to the tax man," the illicit trade in tobacco products promotes crime, youth smoking and disrespect for the law. I hope that by knowing the facts, there is little tolerance for this type of criminality in the workplace. Joe Oliver, Ottawa There are so many things wrong with this scenario that it is hard to know where to start. Probably the best place to start would be with your gut feeling, that it is "questionable", and the questions, I would venture, would be these: Do those selling the cigarettes declare the money they make on their income tax? Do all those who buy and sell do it on their lunch or coffee breaks? Does upper management know that this practice is happening on their time and property? Do those who sell these cheap cigarettes care that they are contributing to the ill health of their co-workers? No. No. No. No. If you can be a party to put an end to this selfish, unlawful, unhealthy practice, I believe you will be doing a great thing. You should absolutely go to human resources and blow the whistle, and blow it loudly. You might even want to involve the authorities, hoping that someone would curb this despicable behaviour that hurts all who are involved, and perhaps, even some who are not. Brian Pease, Toronto If I am the manager, I will announce to my co-workers to stop the selling and use of native cigarettes on company time and premises. Moreover, I will write to the tax department about ... tax evasion. Fetoon Albakry, Riyadh, Saudi Arabi If you are aware of the crime and do nothing, you could potentially be charged as an accessory. I would suggest that you go higher than the human resources staff; one or more of their personnel may also be involved. Make an appointment with the CEO or his representative and report what you have seen. If this matter became public knowledge, it would result in very unfavorable publicity for the company. An executive should be astute enough to realize this. When you have reported the matter to a company official, it becomes his responsibility to take appropriate measures. If, after a reasonable time, no action has been taken, you will be obliged to notify the civil authorities. You'd better update your curriculum vitae in case such action becomes necessary. Carolyn Tytler, St. Catharines, Ont. What is happening in your office is against the law ... Perhaps it also runs counter to your company's mission and code of conduct. You have two acceptable options in this dilemma. One, you could immediately place a call to your local police detachment, which can ensure the confidentiality of your report while they conduct an investigation. Two, if you are not concerned about your colleagues knowing that you are the one shedding light on this practice, you could alert your HR department and demand that they issue a warning to all employees to cease and desist or law enforcement action will be pursued. Dorothy Ahlgren Franklin, Ottawa The workplace is not the appropriate setting for selling these cigarettes. If these individuals wish to take their chances with the law, they may do so elsewhere. However, your company may even be potentially liable for seemingly condoning this activity. Saying something to the individuals involved is not likely to change their behaviour. Therefore, your discomfort leads you to HR, a unit that can take measures to halt the sales on company time and place. Be prepared for some fallout as your views will likely become known. Simply indicate that your concern is for the welfare of individuals and the company and that it is not advisable to sell these cigarettes under these circumstances. Mary Valentich, Calgary You should approach someone in management about this situation. While I am unsure of the legality of the situation, these people are using work time and facilities to run a private business. If they want to get into the cigarette business, there are ways to do that on their own time. Further, there may be harm to you if your office were to be raided by law enforcement. Both your personal and corporate reputations could be harmed. Approach management now to put an end to this situation. Tom Breuer, Ottawa The first step is to communicate to all employees that the practice of selling cigarettes on the premises must stop immediately, no ifs, ands or "butts." The company may need to get security involved to smoke out the guilty parties. Ed Kamps, Fort McMurray, Alta. There are times when silence is the preferred course. This may be one of them. You describe a frantic workplace culture of contraband consumerism. The impression you leave is that the real work of your company is taking a back seat to the distribution and acquisition of illicit tax free goods. The larger picture may be that you are in a nest of gluttonous vipers, people (I hesitate to call them citizens) who are so desperate for cheap goods or the profit from smuggling, that they have created a criminal culture in your workplace. I'd be worried about your safety. You may be tempted to reform your work community but it might be simpler to "get the hell out of Dodge." © Copyright 2006 by CigarettesOn.Com |
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