Sustainability Report 2010 - Finlays

Group Performance Review 2010
3.2 People
28
Improving worker welfare
The ETI developed the Supervisor Training Programme to help companies
address issues of bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment in the work
place. Such issues are commonly encountered at supervisor level, but can be
difficult for both management and external ethical audits to detect.
The scheme promotes awareness of worker rights, and equality of treatment
in the workplace, by training those in supervisory roles who are most able to
influence and improve worker welfare.
Finlays was involved with the ETI in the pilot study, undertaking trial courses
on our farms. Through this study, ETI’s impact assessment identified the
following improvements:
• Fairer treatment of workers with regard to task allocations
• Greater understanding amongst workers of their rights concerning discrimination
and harassment and available recourse, including better communication from
supervisors and managers, in cases of abuse
• Improved workplace environment as a result of the supervisors’ better
understanding of their management roles and responsibilities in addressing
discrimination and sexual harassment issues
• More respect in the workplace
Ongoing benefits
We anticipate that the training will provide an effective vehicle to engage with
management and supervisors, those who are most influential in shaping the
wider treatment of workers in their charge.
The workers themselves will gain a greater understanding of their rights and
how to make sure these are observed. Peripheral benefits will include improved
productivity and quality of output, and increased staff retention and attendance.
All supervisors are due to be trained by July 2011.
Finlays Sustainability Report 2010