Just as tobacco unites the huddle of smokers outside their non-smoking office, the issue pulls together employees at British American Tobacco (BAT). Excellent pay, prospects and conditions, together with the sense of injustice they feel when their industry is criticised, have created a strong, loyal family. British American Tobacco, a multinational company based in Britain and formed in 1902, owns leading brands everywhere from Uzbekistan to Brazil. It is a company that has gone from being a symbol of sociable encounters to one of carcinogens and controversy. Public awareness of the dangers of smoking, a rise in teenage girls taking up the habit, and successful court cases against cigarette companies in America have made working for a tobacco company a far less socially acceptable thing to do. Despite this clouded environment, pay, benefits and opportunities have attracted bright and friendly workers to BATs custom-fitted headquarters in London. The company's internationalism is a major motivator for staff. Josh Goldberg, 23, has just started as a management trainee, having come over from Texas; he was delighted by this opportunity to work in a challenging industry, and by the intelligence, openness and helpfulness of everyone from management to receptionists. Hilary Barton, Bat's head of strategic management for 10 years, enjoys the opportunity to travel — “South Africa, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Poland in the past few months, and meeting great teams of our people everywhere”, she said. There is a management development centre in Horsley, Surrey and a training suite with teach-yourself language plans and computer programs. “Freedom through responsibility” is the catchphrase. Financial trainees receive awards of up to £2,000 when they complete their professional training. The spectacular offices in central London have a view of the Thames (see page 3) from the London Eye in the west to Tower Bridge in the east. On every floor there are flowers and art collections, from historic cigarette posters to 28 Rodin statues, part of a Rothmans collection on permanent loan. With an upgraded air conditioning system, the offices are cool and fresh and although everyone is entitled to either 200 or 400 free cigarettes each month, nobody seems to chain smoke. Lunch is free with everything from curries to sizzling salads — and there is a make-your-own sandwich bar. The company fosters a sense of community with events such as horse-riding weekends, a subsidised annual dinner-dance, a whisky and cigar club and discounts at Formula 1 events. There are three production sites around the country in Southampton, Aylesbury and Darlington. The workers feel BAT is unfairly criticised for promoting tobacco, but there is ambivalence in whether they will admit they work for the firm or hide it. Roy Beadle, corporate communications manager, said it was “a recruitment issue”. “I was slightly concerned about it, but I am happy with BATs position that smoking is a personal choice for responsible adults,” he said. “It can lead to some interesting dinner-table discussions, though.”
