HSBC 2012 Annual Report Download - page 338

HSBC HOLDINGS PLC
Report of the Directors: Corporate Governance (continued)
Employees
336
Employment of disabled persons
We believe in providing equal opportunities for all
employees. The employment of disabled persons is
included in this commitment and the recruitment,
training, career development and promotion of
disabled persons is based on the aptitudes and
abilities of the individual. Should employees
become disabled during their employment with us,
efforts are made to continue their employment and,
if necessary, appropriate training and reasonable
equipment and facilities are provided.
Health and safety
The maintenance of appropriate health and safety
standards remains a key responsibility of all
managers and we are committed to proactively
managing all health and safety risks associated with
our business. Our objectives are to identify, remove,
reduce or control material risks relating to fires and
accidents or injuries to employees, customers and
visitors.
Group policies, standards and guidance for the
management of health and safety are set by global
Corporate Real Estate. Achieving these in each
country in which we operate is the responsibility
of the Chief Operating Officer of that country with
support and coordination provided by the Health
and Safety Coordinator for that country.
In terms of physical and geopolitical risk,
Global Security and Fraud Risk provide regular
security risk assessments to assist management in
judging the level of terrorist and violent criminal
threat. Regional Security and Fraud Risk functions
conduct regular security reviews of all Group
buildings to ensure measures to protect our staff,
buildings, assets and information are appropriate
to the level of threat.
We remain committed to maintaining our
preparedness and to ensuring the highest standards
of health and safety wherever in the world we
operate.
Remuneration policy
The quality and commitment of our human capital
is fundamental to our success and accordingly the
Board aims to attract, retain and motivate the very
best people. As trust and relationships are vital in our
business our goal is to recruit those who are
committed to making a long-term career with the
organisation.
HSBC’s reward strategy supports this objective
through balancing of both short-term and sustainable
performance. Our reward strategy aims to reward
success, not failure, and be properly aligned with our
risk framework and related outcomes. In order to
ensure alignment between remuneration and our
business strategy, individual remuneration is
determined through assessment of performance
delivered against both annual and long-term
objectives summarised in performance scorecards
as well as adherence to the HSBC Values of being
‘open, connected and dependable’ and acting with
‘courageous integrity’. Altogether, performance is
judged, not only on what is achieved over the short
and long-term, but also on how it is achieved, as the
latter contributes to the sustainability of the
organisation.
The financial and non-financial measures
incorporated in the annual and long-term scorecards
are carefully considered to ensure alignment with the
long-term strategy of the Group.
Further information on the Group’s approach
to remuneration is given on page 347.
Employee share plans
Share options and discretionary awards of shares
granted under HSBC share plans align the interests
of employees with those of shareholders. The tables
on the following pages set out the particulars of
outstanding options, including those held by
employees working under employment contracts
that are regarded as ‘continuous contracts’ for the
purposes of the Hong Kong Employment Ordinance.
The options were granted at nil consideration. No
options have been granted to substantial shareholders,
suppliers of goods or services, or in excess of the
individual limit for each share plan. No options were
cancelled by HSBC during the year.
A summary for each plan of the total number
of the options which were granted, exercised or
lapsed during 2012 is shown in the following tables.
Further details required to be disclosed pursuant
to Chapter 17 of the Rules Governing the Listing
of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong
Kong Limited are available on our website at
www.hsbc.com by selecting ‘Investor Relations’,
then ‘Governance’, then ‘Share Plans’, and on the
website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong
Limited at www.hkex.com.hk or can be obtained
upon request from the Group Company Secretary,
8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ. Particulars of
options held by Directors of HSBC Holdings are
set out on page 363.
Note 7 on the Financial Statements gives details
on share-based payments, including discretionary
awards of shares granted under HSBC share plans.