Our employees are vital to the Group’s performance in its competitive marketplace. Workplace programmes are in place to help the business deliver customer value by creating a positive internal culture. The Board is confident that employees will continue to rise to the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Employees
o2o recognises that its achievements are a reflection of the combined efforts of more than 900 employees and the broad range of talents they offer.
The Group aims to recruit and retain the best people in its market sectors, treat them fairly and with respect and provide them with a challenging yet rewarding work environment where their welfare and safety is a key priority.
Employees are encouraged and supported in their professional development to ensure competence in their roles. They are provided with on the job training ranging from mentoring and coaching through to in-house and external specialist courses. For example, the AccessPlus Skills Academy adds value by training employees to adopt a consultative account management style to better understand customer needs thereby helping to develop more appropriate solutions.
All employees are expected to maintain high standards of work and behaviour and to display integrity in their dealings with customers, suppliers and each other.
Health, safety and welfare
o2o is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of its employees and others affected by its business activities. o2o maintains awareness of the range of health and safety legislation relevant to its organisation and of the standards of proof required to demonstrate compliance.
An independent third party was appointed in October 2007 to advise on the statutory requirements and the implementation of a health and safety policy. As a result, a health and safety management system, with procedures to control and monitor health and safety performance, has been implemented.
All sites, other than AccessPlus and Accord, have been audited twice. The second audit confirmed that each site had improved considerably and the Group surpassed the industry sector average in the prevention of accidents and ill health. All senior operations managers now hold British Safety Council Level 1 certificates and the supervisors are responsible for regular health and safety checks. Fire, manual handling, display screen equipment and workplace task-specific risk assessments have been conducted at each site. In addition, the procedure for reporting accidents has been improved with the implementation of a new on-line accident form.
Initial site audits at AccessPlus and Accord were carried out in the last quarter of 2008 and identified the need for up-to-date training in manual handling, risk assessment, fire prevention and first aid. The operations managers at these sites will also be trained to BSC standards. A second audit for these sites is planned for 2009 with all o2o sites being audited annually.
