Operating environment

We properly consider employment applications from people with disabilities and, where existing employees develop disabilities, it is our policy, wherever practicable, to support them through providing appropriate adjustments to their roles and/or effective redeployments. Our Occupational Health Physicians enable this process with professional medical advice.

Consultation and engagement

Each company engages with its employees through a variety of means appropriate to its working environment. The importance of an inclusive and engaging management style is fully recognised and, in 2008, NWL continued to develop in this area through over 120 workshops covering all our employees. The aim was to engage employees in a dialogue on improvements to our working practices and environment and seek their views on the areas that should be covered in our 2010–15 People Plan. In March 2009 the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development presented NWL with the Employee Engagement Award in recognition of its proactive and inclusive employee engagement activities.

Training and development

All Group companies train and develop their employees to benefit both the company and the individual. Annual appraisals are given high priority, as is the identification of training needs, in recognition of the importance of training and development in achieving the Group’s goals and policies.

Employees celebrate their success at the northern skills awards with Kriss Akabusi.

Communication

The Group uses a wide range of communication methods including magazines, newsletters, intranet, notice boards and regular team meetings. ‘Unplugged’, the Group magazine, contains articles on activities and news from across the business, focusing on employees and their achievements. NWL issues all employees with a series of information booklets clearly explaining areas such as the company’s mission and values, terms, conditions and benefits of employment, occupational health and wellbeing programmes and People Plan objectives.

Disclosure (Whistleblowing)

The Group encourages open feedback and is committed to protecting employees who wish to voice concerns about behaviour or decisions that they believe to be illegal or unethical. The Audit Committee regularly reviews the Disclosure Policy.