ING Direct 2009 Annual Report Download - page 51

Human resources
HR ALIGNED WITH NEW STRATEGIC DIRECTION
The strategic decisions in 2009 were accompanied by major
organisational changes and impact on people, which placed even
greater emphasis on Group and divisional Human Resources (HR),
and ING’s overall people agenda. All areas of HR were called upon
to support the organisation through the challenging circumstances
and the reduction of the workforce, which was implemented as
part of the Back to Basics programme. HR played a significant role
in managing the restructuring process with diligence, care and
thoughtfulness for our people as we reduced our workforce to
107,000 worldwide and completed a number of divestments.
Although the transformation programme was the focal point in
2009 and despite the impact of the challenging market
circumstances on ING, HR continued to run all regular baseline
activities. The ING International Graduate Programme (IIGP) was
run for the fourth year in a row with 179 early career talents
participating. The extensive talent review process was completed
with the solid involvement of divisional HR, and recruitment for
select positions continued. Our Business School provided ongoing
development opportunities for our talents and leaders with special
focus on the transformation programme. Our International Mobility
function diligently managed international movements of our
workforce and reduced associated costs. Our global governance
model further improved the collaboration between divisional and
corporate HR.
NAVIGATING THE TRANSFORMATION
Working under the banner of the Back to Basics transformation
programme, we worked closely with the business to reduce cost,
decrease people-related risks, and help the organisation reduce
complexity and, later in the year, prepare for the separation of
our banking and insurance operations. Work streams were
established to support the transformation programme, focusing
on organisational design and divestments, employee engagement,
performance, remuneration, leadership skills and culture. Given
the magnitude of the transformation programme, the work
streams ensured that related processes ran efficiently.
ING remains committed to managing its people with respect and
will support those affected by the reorganisation. The reduction
of the workforce was coordinated centrally by Group HR in close
collaboration with HR in the business including involvement and
advice by the Works Council. ING’s mobility centres played a major
role in helping affected employees finding new roles within ING
or outside the Company. Divestments and reorganisations due
to decreased business volume resulted in a higher number of
employees leaving the Company than originally forecasted.
CULTIVATING THE RIGHT CULTURE
HR is closely aligned with ING’s business focus on what matters
most to our customers and continuously works to strengthen our
performance culture based on our Business Principles. Integrity and
trust became hallmarks of debate, both in society and internally,
which was reflected in our work on performance management
and international remuneration. Run by the Business School
and divisional HR training academies, development and training
programmes contributed to advance value-based leadership
and our performance culture.
In the challenging environment of 2009, ING’s human resources
and business departments forged stronger bonds by aligning
our people agenda with the Back to Basics transformation
programme and the strategic decision to move towards a full
separation of our banking and insurance operations. We increased
our focus on engagement of employees and implemented a new
performance management approach for leaders. In addition,
we evaluated international compensation standards while
developing a new compensation policy and set targets for more
women in senior positions. We continued building a diverse and
inclusive working environment with the support of senior
executives and employee networks.
Increased focus on people, performance and engagement
ING Group Annual Report 2009 49