Dear Queenie,
I work in a government department. Recently, I went to a casino with visiting relatives. I am not a casino person, but I went along for the experience. As soon as I walked in, I saw one of our department heads sitting at a slot machine. This is someone who makes my life at work very difficult. They are strict, critical, and often unpleasant. At the same time, they openly present themselves as a Christian and speak often about values and conduct. What concerns me more is this: I know this person is involved in managing money at work. Seeing them gambling made me uncomfortable. Not because gambling is illegal, but because of the position they hold and the temptation that could come with access to funds. Now I feel stuck. Do I say something? Do I report it? Or do I mind my business and pretend I didn’t see anything? We live in Sint Maarten. These things don’t stay quiet for long. I don’t want trouble. But I also don’t feel right ignoring it completely.—Saw More Than I Wanted To
Dear Saw More Than I Wanted To,
What you saw is uncomfortable. But it is not, by itself, misconduct. Let’s separate the issues clearly.
First, personal behaviour. An adult going to a casino and playing a slot machine is not illegal. It may not align with how they present themselves publicly, but inconsistency between personal habits and public image is not a workplace violation. Hypocrisy is frustrating. It is not actionable. Second, your real concern: access to money. This is where you need to be careful. You are not responding to something that has happened. You are responding to what might happen. Suspicion alone is not enough to justify reporting someone, especially in a small island environment where reputations carry real consequences. Acting on assumption can create more damage than the behaviour itself. Now, that does not mean you ignore your instincts completely. It means you shift your focus from the person to the system. Ask yourself: Are there proper financial controls in place? Is there oversight, checks, and accountability? Because in any well-functioning department, no single individual should have unchecked access to funds, regardless of their personal habits. If the system is strong, personal behavior becomes less of a risk. If the system is weak, that is the real issue. Not the slot machine. As for what you do next: You do nothing about what you saw. You observe your workplace processes. You protect your own professionalism. And you avoid getting pulled into a situation based on discomfort rather than fact. Not everything you witness is yours to act on. And in Sint Maarten, knowing when to mind your business is sometimes just as important as knowing when to speak.—Queenie
