We actively encourage learning and development and believe that effective training is essential to the maintenance and improvement of our success and individual performance. We are committed to providing all employees with relevant training to meet our business needs and to improve individual employee skills. In providing this training and support we expect high standards and commitment in return. All employees are provided with initial induction training and are set challenging personal objectives and participate in discretionary bonus schemes.
We operate a comprehensive employee appraisal process which ensures that clear goals are set, personal objectives are monitored, key competencies are assessed and any performance concerns addressed through appropriate training and focus. Every employee has the opportunity to discuss work-related aspirations and participate in appropriate training and development programmes.
Employee engagement is met through a variety of means including regular briefings and team meetings through its management structure which allows a free flow of information and ideas via publications such as the ‘Innsider’ and ‘Eagle Eye’. Employees can also ask the executive management team questions on an anonymous basis via the ‘Ask the Exec’ forum. In addition, an annual conference is held to which all employees are invited and provides an opportunity for employees to be made aware of key objectives and strategy. The use of email and the corporate intranet supplement effective communication to all employees. We have also conducted an ‘employee satisfaction survey’ to gauge the views of employees throughout the business.
We continue to encourage employee ownership of its shares through the provision of the following award winning share option schemes including:
- the Save As You Earn Scheme in which employees enter into savings contracts for either five or seven years at the end of which they are entitled to purchase shares at a discount of 20% to the market price of the shares at the time of the issue of the options; and
- the Share Incentive Plan in which employee purchase shares out of pre-tax income up to statutory limits which are held in a trust. Currently, we award one free matching share for each share bought by an employee.