Although our operations and sourcing are largely concentrated in the U.S., we understand that our actions may also affect those beyond our borders. Society expects that businesses will not infringe on the human rights of others. Thus, respect for people is fundamental to the way we conduct business.
The 10 principles of the United Nations Global Compact and the International Labour Organization Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work inform our principles and policies for employees and our expectations of suppliers. To uphold and promote these principles, Altria and its companies:
- respect the rights of our employees and establish a culture of respect and compliance as articulated by our Values and the Altria Code of Conduct;
- work with suppliers to promote actions that are consistent with our Values and the Supplier Code of Conduct; and
- collaborate with others in industry and society to address human rights issues where our companies have a role to play.
OUR APPROACH WITH OUR EMPLOYEES
- Freedom of Association - We respect the rights of our employees who choose to be represented by a union. We also respect the rights of employees who choose not to do so. In fact, many hourly workers within the Altria family of companies are union-represented and we work to maintain productive relationships with their bargaining representatives.
- Non-discrimination - Our companies prohibit discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status or other legally protected characteristic. We regularly train employees on harassment issues and we rigorously enforce these expectations.
- Child Labor - Our companies require a minimum age of 18 for employment.
- Corruption and Bribery - Our companies provide specific guidance to employees on interactions with government officials, suppliers and customers. Employees must disclose conflicts of interest and we forbid bribery.
- Reporting Violations - Employees with concerns about violations of laws, regulations or company policies are obligated to raise them. When that occurs, the appropriate functions investigate and resolve the issues. We assure employees that Altria and its companies will not tolerate retaliation against employees who raise concerns in good faith. We communicate this expectation frequently and in many forms to employees across the family of companies.
OUR APPROACH WITH SUPPLIERS
- Setting Expectations - We communicate expectations through, among other things, a Supplier Code of Conduct. The Code addresses issues including non-discrimination, child labor, forced labor, freedom of association, workplace safety, bribery and environmental compliance. We also address these issues in supplier contracts.
- Engagement & Risk Assessment - We want to understand the opportunities within our companies’ supply chains and take positive steps to advance effective solutions. In doing so, we consult a range of resources and stakeholders. Where risks have been identified, we work to communicate expectations, share information and support continuous improvement.
- Validation and Remediation - To validate contractual compliance and support continuous improvement, we established a monitoring system for certain areas of identified risk. This monitoring system involves one or more of the following: supplier self-assessment, assessment by our employees, supplier certifications and monitoring by an unaffiliated third-party. In the case of non-compliance, we work with the affected supplier to remedy the issue through a corrective action process. In some situations, we may discontinue the relationship.
OUR APPROACH TO ADVANCING ISSUES
We aim to promote better conditions in the communities where we work and do business. Our companies’ actions include:
- Promoting supplier diversity development to create more minority and women entrepreneurship both in our business and through our direct suppliers.
- Through the Eliminating Child Labor in Tobacco Foundation and other engagements, Philip Morris USA and John Middleton have worked with others in the tobacco industry, the agricultural sector and other interested stakeholders to understand the specific circumstances of farm laborers and to support programs to help address them.
- Through Malawi-based NGO Total Land Care, PM USA and John Middleton have supported a holistic approach to the complex socioeconomic and environmental concerns affecting tobacco production in Malawi.
