Operational performance
NWL’s Management Development Framework model.
One of the objectives of the People Plan is to develop leadership skills in current and potential managers. NWL continues to implement its Management Development Framework which is structured to cover the training needs of those who show the potential for management right through to development at director level. As part of this framework we are working in partnership with Newcastle Business School to provide qualifications from a Diploma to a Masters degree in leadership and management.
Employees’ academic achievements were celebrated this year at our third annual skills awards. Attended by senior managers from around the business, and with guest speaker Kriss Akabusi, the events were again motivational and memorable.
Health and safety
Our emphasis on the importance of health and safety within NWL has resulted in major improvements to our safety record in recent years. This year we experienced six lost time reportable accidents per 1,000 employees, which is a 57% reduction over the previous five years. This has been accompanied by a further reduction in days lost through accidents.
We have established a medium term plan for taking health and safety forward in the business to 2014. We aim to further reduce the number of accidents by 10% each year and to reinforce the safety culture in the business.
NWL proactively supports and encourages employees to strive for high standards of health and wellbeing by providing a wide range of services, support and resources relating to occupational health, with the Group’s medical advisor providing comprehensive occupational health services, general health promotion and stress management. NWL employees also have on and offsite access to specialist advice and treatment to support recovery from musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).
We continue to promote healthy eating, hydration and discourage smoking in our workforce and offer excellent health screening and medical insurance schemes. Around 1,700 employees have been through our health screening and fitness standards programmes, both of which now include lifestyle advice elements. In the first year we have reduced sickness absence due to MSD by just over 9%.
NWL’s current level of sickness absence is 2.94% which is the lowest ever achieved and well below the norm for the sector.
Research and development
We run a programme of research and development linked to our core business operations. This includes the development of technical solutions for water and waste water management, collaborative research within the sector and through partnerships with academic and research organisations. During the year, the Group invested £1.8 million (2008: £1.8 million) in research and development.