HEALTH & SAFETY
We aim to provide clean, healthy and safe working conditions. In addition to compliance with local regulations, discoverIE promotes working practices which protect the health and safety of its employees and other persons who enter its premises.
Recognising the importance of a structured and objectively verifiable approach to Health & Safety, the Group has set a target to ensure that, by 2025, at least 80% of its global workforce is working in operations covered by an ISO45001 Health and Safety Management Systems.
See our latest progress in Our Performance.
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
We are committed to ensuring employees are treated fairly and with respect, and are empowered and appropriately rewarded. Our employment policies are based on equal opportunities for all, and on there being no discrimination on grounds of colour, ethnic origin, gender, age, religion, political or other opinion, disability or sexual orientation. The policies are fair, equitable and consistent with the skills and abilities of employees and the needs of the Group’s businesses and aim to ensure that everyone is accorded equal opportunity for recruitment, training and promotion. The Group does not tolerate any sexual, physical or mental harassment.
We recognise that diverse perspectives and backgrounds are essential to driving innovation, creativity and growth in our business. We are committed to improving the diversity of our workforce and management team by promoting within and proactively managing our recruitment process. Today, half of our workforce and more than one third of the Group’s operational senior management are female. Our Board Diversity Policy can be found here.
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Learning and development are essential for employee retention and fostering innovation. Our businesses are proactive in anticipating both short and long term employment needs and skills requirements. All employees are encouraged to actively engage in their career development and training opportunities are available across the Group. We run apprenticeship schemes and graduate programmes in some of the countries we operate in, such as the UK and Germany. We also provide ongoing training for technical and sales roles.
Our employees are actively encouraged to undertake further learning, such as National Vocational Qualifications or similar level courses, as well as continual professional development to maintain any relevant professional accreditations. During the past 12 months, we launched two Group-wide initiatives to support the learning and development of our employees. First, we started a series of webinars in October 2023, covering a variety of topics, such as a technology deep dive, greenhouse gas emissions management, marketing and finance. The aim is to encourage knowledge and best practice sharing across the Group. Secondly, we launched an online learning and development platform, which enables our operating businesses to manage their talent development and skill gaps, and our employees to take control of their learning experience. Three operating businesses are currently undertaking a 12-month trial. The vast majority of employees receive annual performance appraisals, which include identifying their development needs.
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Clear, fair and competitive terms of employment are in place. It is Group policy to communicate with employees on major matters to encourage them to take an interest in the affairs of their employing company and the Group. Each operating business is encouraged to maintain effective employee engagement arrangements, including keeping employees aware of the financial and economic factors affecting their employing company’s performance.
The Group remains supportive of the employment and advancement of disabled persons. Full consideration is given to applications for employment from disabled persons, where the candidate’s particular aptitudes and abilities are consistent with meeting adequately the requirements of the job.
We are committed to retaining our talented and skilled workforce. We achieve this by offering clear and fair terms of employment, a competitive remuneration policy and regular communication with our employees on major matters. Our voluntary employee turnover in FY2024 reduced to 9%.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
We value community engagement and strive to be an active participant in the local communities where we operate. We support local good causes by offering opportunities for employees to volunteer and through charitable donations (no donations are made to political causes). Our commitment to community engagement is highlighted by the Group’s support of the Community Foundation for Surrey and other employee volunteering opportunities.
As well as supporting the causes themselves, initiatives such as these motivate employees and increase their sense of purpose in working for an organisation that is keen to play a positive role in society.