Shared Responsibility - Npower

Corporate Responsibility Report 2003WorkplaceWe are committed to supporting staff development, effective successionplanning and career management. We are committed to ensuring asafe working environment, the prevention of work-related ill-healthand the promotion of staff well-being. Promoting equal opportunitiesand diversity in the workforce is essential for attracting, retaining anddeveloping a diverse workforce and providing equal opportunities.Company ValuesThe success of our business depends upon ourstaff. In order to work effectively, we recognisethat our staff need to know what we stand foras an organisation. Our company values areas follows: ‘In the service of our customers,stakeholders and employees we value: innovation,trust, leadership, commercial excellence andworking together’. Our values form part of theperformance management processes across thecompany, including the Leadership DevelopmentProgramme for senior managers. npower hasinterpreted the spirit of our corporate values intoCustomer FIRST values. These focus on the needsof our customers and npower staff have receivedtraining on the values and what they mean inpractice.We carried out a comprehensive employee surveyin 2003. We had a return rate of 53% of whom60% stated that the company was ‘a greatplace to work’. Whilst the results were generallypositive, there were areas which were identifiedfor improvement. In particular, perceptions of jobsecurity and salaries were less positive in someareas of the business. We have set up employeefocus groups to develop action plans to workon these issues within specific business areas.We will monitor these plans during 2004 andanother survey is planned for 2005.Leadership DevelopmentWe run a Leadership Development Programmeand an Advanced Management Programme forour senior managers. This year we completed asenior management audit which identified thestrengths and weaknesses of this group andhighlighted priorities for their developmentover the coming year.WorkplaceTo recognise and encourage the contributionof all our employees to improve businessperformance and to provide support forindividuals to fulfil their potential.Targets for 2003Deliver objectives from business diversityaction plans based on benchmark fordiversity across all the businesses.Undertake a company-wide staff satisfactionsurvey, provide feedback and demonstratethat follow-up actions have been taken.Review the use of company values in staffassessment and how values are communicatedand demonstrated.ProgressWe have undertaken an analysis of gender,age and ethnic origin amongst our workforce.Equal Opportunities Officers have beenappointed and trained for each business,and respective HR policies and practiceshave been audited.53% of staff responded to the staff survey –60% of whom agreed that the company is‘a great place to work’. Senior managers andstaff have received briefing on the surveyresults. We will review less satisfactory areas.Company values form an integral partof our performance review process.24