We - KappAhl

EMPLOYEES
at various managerial meetings we draw attention to the gender
equality issue so that both our present and future leaders can
work towards more even gender distribution.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO WORK HERE Many people want
to work for us. When we advertise for sales assistants we have
hundreds of applicants. To facilitate recruitment it is important
to further develop the selection process itself. During the year
we therefore added a test to make recruitment even more effective.
Recruitment is to help us find the right people, who will
flourish, develop and do a good job here. For applicants it is also
important that we have a good recruitment process. It means
that they can quickly judge if this is the place they want to be.
WE GLADLY SHARE OUR KNOWLEDGE Cooperation with
schools and universities is very important for us in identifying
new ideas. The main focus is on education and research connected
to trade and design.
In 2008, for example, the Centre for Retailing opened at the
School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of
Gothenburg, where KappAhl is one of the partner companies.
We are sought after as lecturers and participants at other
higher education institutions such as the Swedish School of
Textiles in Borås and at Advanced Vocational Education courses,
trade fairs and seminars to communicate our views on anything
from the latest fashion trends and sustainable development to
human resources and distribution systems.
We also take on a large number of trainees every year. This
helps us to profile the company as a workplace, but also means
that our own organisation can be influenced by new, young
ideas, big and small.
20,533 STEPS TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH We encourage all
employees to lead active lives, leading to good health. We offer
all of them an exercise subsidy and cooperate with fitness centres,
where our employees can exercise at a reduced price.
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We also reward independent health initiatives at all levels of the
company. So it was gratifying to see the pedometer competition
initiated at KappAhl Norway during the year. The competition
was a success; over half the employees took part. The store in
Finnsnes won, with 20,533 steps per day and employee. The aim
is to conduct similar competitions in the other countries.
The work environment is a strategic issue for us, which is
evident in our work environment policy, for example. The aim is
to create a physically, mentally and socially sound and fulfilling
workplace for all employees, where preventive measures are
taken against the risk of occupational injury and work-related ill
health.
In 2007/2008 the company increased cooperation with the
occupational health services, focusing on employees in the
distribution centre. In connection with this, days of sickness
absence showed a marked decrease. The average number of days
of sick leave in the Group fell in 2008/2009 to 5.5 (5.7).
TOP MARKS TO THE WORKPLACE THIS YEAR AGAIN Our
method of operation evidently works well. In addition to taking
market share our employees are very satisfied. This is especially
clear from our employee performance reviews and the annual
KappAhl Attitude Survey.
The year’s results indicate that KappAhl continues to score
very highly as a workplace: 4.1 (4.1) out of 5 on average. This is
better than the average for the industry, according to statistics
from Mercuri International, which manages the survey. One
reason that is often cited is the clear direction, in which goals,
strategies and policies provide a good foundation for managers
to take rapid and well-founded decisions, while employees are
given considerable responsibility.
The survey also shows that employees feel pride in working
for the company. As many as 97.0 per cent of employees respond
that they would recommend KappAhl as a good employer.
Kappahl 2008/2009