The Group believes that the ability to balance work and non work commitments is key to attracting and retaining motivated and highly skilled employees. To support this we have created a range of flexible working policies covering job sharing, part time working, homeworking, variable working hours, compressed hours, and term time working, which can be utilised to meet the needs of our unique businesses and our diverse workforce.
In addition we offer support to staff facing life changing events requiring time away from work - comprehensive maternity and adoption policies, 10 days paternity leave, 13 weeks parental leave and both short and long term career breaks.
The right to request to work flexibly extends to all our employees, with all policies and application procedures easily accessible online to employees and management. There is also a telephone helpline provided for individual queries.
This specially designed "Yourtime" programme won the HR Excellence Award 2004 for the 'Most Effective Use of Flexibility in the Workplace' as the judges were most impressed by the mixture of real benefits for both the employees and the business. Increasing numbers of employees are now benefiting from our flexible working policies and are able to balance their work and home lives more effectively. Business areas are benefiting from using compressed hours and variable hours across teams to increase business and employee flexibility, allowing them to maximise property and equipment, and improve customer service by extending operating hours.
We recognise that in certain circumstances it is necessary for staff to be absent from work for reasons other than sickness. Flexibility is provided to allow staff special leave as required by law to meet specific commitments, and in line with best practice for exceptional circumstances.
Most departments organise social events - ranging from informal drinks to full-scale formal events. In addition most departments have "Away Days" for team members to get together to learn more about the Group, their business and each other.
We provide a free confidential advice service to all our employees covering areas such as childcare, relationships, legal matters, eldercare, work and stress. Support is provided via telephone and written materials and even access to short term counselling - available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The bank is committed to providing all employees with a safe and secure working environment and this is detailed in the Staysafe booklet sent to all new joiners.
We are committed to helping the community and have a wide and diverse range of projects that we assist with and sponsor. You too can play your part. For more information about Corporate Responsibility take a look at the Community Investment section on the group website.
The Group encourages its employees to make a difference in local communities by fundraising and volunteering efforts by giving a cash boost to the charities and community groups that they are involved with. These awards range from:£100, £250 and £500 for individual fundraisers £250, £500 and £1000 for teams of fundraisers Over 5000 organisations the length and breadth of the UK including schools, youth groups, hospices and playgroups have benefited from our staff's commitment and the 'Community Cashback Awards' demonstrated our support for their contribution.
All employees donating to UK registered charities have the option of doing so through our unique Give As You Earn scheme.
For every £1 donated, the Group gives a further £2 to the chosen charity. What's more, the Inland Revenue adds 10% to the donation.
The Bank and its subsidiaries gave over £12m for charitable purposes in 2001.