Employment policies

Worldwide, the Group employed 10,379 people on 31 December 2007. Outside the UK, 2,784 people were employed. The Group's policy on rewarding its employees is set out in the Directors' remuneration report.

The Group is committed to engaging with employee representatives on a broad range of issues, including consultation on any major business change and communicates with employees in a variety of ways appropriate to the circumstances or business environment. This includes communicating and sharing information with employees through formal team briefings and discussions, informal team meetings, email, DVDs, or the Group's intranet and in-house publications.

The Group takes the issue of equality and diversity seriously. By using the talent and skills available in all communities in the countries where it operates, the Group is able to create strong foundations for the lasting success of its business. This is achieved by using appropriate recruitment and selection techniques, ensuring equal employment opportunity and equal access to development opportunities.

The Group remains committed to providing a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and to treating people with disabilities fairly in relation to job applications, training, promotion and career development. The health and safety of all employees is a priority and is reviewed at regular intervals. Each business within the Group is responsible for ensuring the Group Health and Safety Policy is maintained.

Employees have the opportunity to participate in the Company's employee share plan which enables eligible individuals to buy ordinary shares in the Company each month directly from their earnings - up to a total market value of £125, or an equivalent sum in the relevant currency. These are called 'partnership shares'. For each partnership share bought under the plan, the Company matches the purchase by allocating the relevant individual one ordinary share up to a maximum total value of £25 a month, or an equivalent sum in the relevant currency. These are called 'matching shares'. At 31 December 2007, 54.92% of eligible Group employees were participating, making an average monthly purchase of £43.75.

In addition, ordinary shares or rights to ordinary shares up to a total market value of £3,000 may be allotted annually to each eligible employee. These are called 'free shares'. In May 2007, a total of 10,212 eligible employees accepted an individual award of 100 free shares. In July 2007, a total of 6,929 eligible employees accepted an individual award of 9 bonus free shares. At 31 December 2007, the average number of all shares held in the plan was 379 shares per employee.

TOP