 |
||
|
Environmental management systems
Operating companies representing over one-third of Spectris' business by turnover are certified to ISO14001. Other companies are working towards accreditation where this is deemed beneficial for their customers.
During 2006 no significant environmental incidents were recorded. Investigative studies into a small area of contaminated land at Almelo in the Netherlands, resulting from activities prior to ownership by PANalytical, have now been completed and a medium-term remediation programme has been agreed with the Dutch authorities.
Health and safety
The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for environment and health and safety matters. Senior executives in each of the business units are responsible for implementing the health and safety policy at local level and ensuring compliance with local legislation and regulations. The company's health and safety policy can be viewed on our website at www.spectris.com/aboutus/corporate.php.
Spectris is committed to providing a working environment at all of its sites which, so far as is possible, is safe and without risk to health. Each operating company is responsible for ensuring the health and safety of its employees and also that of sub–contractors and suppliers.
Any serious health and safety incidents are reported by the Managing Director of the business in an accident report to the Company Secretary, who reports on this issue to the Board. No serious injuries or deaths have been reported in the last ten years. Although minor incidents are monitored locally, statistics are not compiled for the group as a whole. Audits of health and safety policies and procedures are undertaken at all major locations by external assessors acting on behalf of the group's insurers on an annual basis and recommendations are made for improving practices where appropriate.
Employees
Spectris' employees are key to the success of the company. We employ highly-qualified people who work in a creative environment with scope for individual responsibility and achievement. Compensation and benefits, which are in line with other leading companies in the sector, are designed to reward the achievement of objectives. Annual reviews provide feedback on employees' performance, set objectives and identify training and development opportunities to enable them to meet their full potential.
Spectris operates mainly in Europe and the US, but with a growing presence in Asia. Although different social and employment conditions exist in different locations, Spectris places high priority on compliance with legislative and ethical requirements within all jurisdictions in which business is conducted, particularly with respect to employment practices, labour rights and equal opportunities. The Company Secretary has overall responsibility for human rights, employment and ethics policies, but responsibility for implementation is delegated to individual business units, with operational policies tailored to suit local needs. The company's employment policy is available at www.spectris.com/aboutus/corporate.php.
Overall HR policies are set at the centre and implemented by each operating business, taking account of local conditions. Spectris retains a diverse workforce, valuing the different perspectives of its employees, and its policies provide for equal treatment in terms of recruitment and employment of staff, training and development, and promotion.We strive to create a culture of honesty and professional excellence whilst maintaining a healthy balance between working and personal lives, with initiatives such as part-time and job share opportunities providing family-friendly working conditions. Staff turnover is dependent to a large extent upon local market conditions, but is generally low, particularly at senior management level and amongst technical/R&D staff, where in-depth technical knowledge brings loyalty and commitment to the company. Whilst data on employee turnover is not gathered centrally, it is monitored by individual businesses. Employee surveys are carried out in a number of companies to measure the views of employees on company issues.
Graduate recruitment programmes and student work placements exist in several companies, providing opportunities for young people to be introduced to the business environment.
It is the responsibility of the managing directors in each operating company to ensure that all employees are fully aware of Spectris' policies. The group monitors compliance with the policy through various processes, including confirmation in writing by each business unit annually, and consolidated Equal Employment Opportunities Commission returns which are produced in the US.
Training and development
Spectris' commitment to training and personal development emphasises the importance of retaining staff throughout the group. Annual appraisals and performance reviews are carried out to determine training and development needs for individual employees.Malvern and Servomex, our two principal UK businesses, have received the Investors in People award for their programmes of training, appraisal, employee development and skills recognition.
Financial participation in the group is encouraged through the Savings Related Share Option Scheme, available to all UK employees, and the group's Performance Share Plan.
Values
Spectris has established a core set of behavioural values that apply throughout the group, which are as follows:
Honesty
Acting with absolute integrity in all that we do
Empowerment
Creating an environment of autonomy in our operating companies where people are expected to take the initiative and to succeed.
Ownership
Taking personal ownership of the responsibility of our roles.
Delivery
Performing to the highest standards against the commitments we make both internally and, especially, externally to our customers.
Speed
Ensuring that our business decisions are made and actions executed with a sense of urgency.
These values define who we are and how we do business, both as individuals and as a company.