Vodafone 2000 Annual Report Download - page 19

Vodafone AirTouch Plc Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2000 17
Employment policies
The Group’s businesses operate progressive employment policies and all vacancies are filled on the basis of individual competence, experience
and qualifications. Employees at all levels and in all companies are encouraged to make the greatest possible contribution to the Group’s success.
The Group’s employment policies are developed to reflect local legal, cultural and employment requirements.
Equal opportunities
The Group operates an equal opportunities policy. All employees accept the commitment within this policy that the Group will not allow discrimination,
pressure to discriminate or harassment by staff or others acting on the Group’s behalf, in respect of sex, race, marital status, nationality, disability or
religious or political beliefs.
The disabled
The directors are conscious of the special difficulties experienced by the disabled. In addition to giving disabled people full and fair consideration for all
vacancies for which they offer themselves as suitable candidates, efforts are made to meet their special needs, particularly in relation to access and
mobility. Where possible, modifications to workplaces have been made to provide access and, therefore, job opportunities for the disabled.
Every effort is made to continue the employment of people who become disabled, not only in the provision of additional facilities but also training
where appropriate.
Health, safety and welfare
The directors recognise the high standards required to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the Group’s employees at work, its customers and the
general public. The maintenance of safe working conditions is a high priority and a programme of regular risk assessment ensures that there are
continuous improvements in safety performance. Group policies and practices are regularly reviewed with the objective that high standards of health
and safety are achieved and maintained.
Auditors
In accordance with section 384 of the Companies Act 1985, a resolution proposing the reappointment of Deloitte & Touche as auditors to the Company
will be put to the Annual General Meeting.
In addition to their statutory duties, Deloitte & Touche are also employed where their expertise and experience with the Group are important, or where
they win work on a competitive basis. During the year Deloitte & Touche charged £16m (1999 – £4m) for non-audit assignments compared to
£17m (1999 – £6m) charged by six other audit firms employed by the Group. The fees for non-audit assignments include amounts for corporate
finance services in a year of unprecedented merger and acquisition activity (£6m), tax advice (£1m) and IT consultancy and other services (£9m).
Fees for IT consultancy include £3m in respect of a contract awarded by AirTouch Communications, Inc. prior to completion of the merger.
The Audit Committee reviews both the level of the audit fee against other comparable companies, including those in the telecommunications industry,
and the level and nature of non-audit fees, as part of its review of the adequacy and objectivity of the audit process.
Substantial shareholdings
The directors are not aware of any holding in the ordinary share capital of Vodafone AirTouch Plc which, at 29 May 2000, exceeded 3% except that
Hutchison Whampoa Limited had a holding of 3.47%.
Directors’ Report continued