Corporate Social ResponsibilityThe Group recognises the importance of conducting its business in a socially responsible manner. This is demonstrated in the way we deal with our employees, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we do business. The Group considers that corporate social responsibility is an integral element of good business management. The Environment Health and Safety Human Resources The Group and its businesses are committed to high standards of employment practice and is recognised as a good employer in both the UK and Ireland. The Group aims to reward management and staff fairly by reference to skills, performance, peers and local market conditions. The Group provides incentives to management and staff through remuneration policies which promote commitment and reward achievement. It is Group policy that all employees receive fair and equal treatment regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or disability. The Group is committed to offering equal opportunities to all individuals in their recruitment, training and career development having regard to their particular aptitudes and abilities. Training and development programmes are important to the growth and prosperity of our business. Significant attention and resources are devoted to this area. Training programmes organised internally by Group businesses and in conjunction with external bodies, such as the Builders Merchant Federation in the UK, cover a range of issues including sales development, customer service, product training, health and safety and leadership skills. These programmes help to ensure that we develop, retain and attract the best individuals at all levels in the business. We aim to fill vacancies through internal promotions and complement internal appointments with recruitment from outside the organisation. The Group has Revenue approved share schemes in place in the UK and Ireland which enable employees to share in the success and growth of the Group. The majority of our employees in Ireland are members of the Group’s Share Participation Scheme which enables them to benefit from acquiring shares in the Group tax efficiently. Following a highly successful first offer under the Group’s UK Save As You Earn Scheme which matured in 2005, the Group provided eligible UK employees with the opportunity to acquire Grafton Units at the end of a three year savings period. Community The Group supports the Irish Landmark Trust, a charitable trust established to save heritage and architecturally interesting buildings in Ireland that are abandoned or at risk. The Trust undertakes their conservation and converts them to domestic use suitable for short-term holiday letting. Woodie’s DIY has extended its sponsorship of Athletics Ireland during 2007 to cover all cross country championships at senior, intermediate and juvenile level and also the Indoor National Championships. Irish Merchanting branches provided financial support to local sports clubs, drama groups and agricultural shows. Group companies in Ireland support the Irish Hardware and Building Materials Association Benevolent Fund and The Lighthouse Club, both of which are dedicated to providing aid and assistance to construction workers and their families who suffer accident, ill health or bereavement. Staff in Atlantic Homecare stores supported Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Dublin by participating in the Dublin Marathon and fundraising in the DIY stores. Buildbase was the first builders merchant to become a patron of the Construction and Property Industry Charity for the Homeless, a charity which provides support to homeless people throughout the UK. During 2007, Buildbase staff at the Oxford branch and head office raised over Stg£63,000 to support Oxford Children’s Hospital through a range of fundraising activities. |
|