Vodafone 2001 Annual Report Download - page 12

10 DIRECTORS’ REPORT continued
Vodafone Group Plc
Annual Report & Accounts
for the year ended
31 March 2001
Em ploym ent p olicies
The Group’s employment policies are developed to reflect local legal, cultural and employment requirements, maintaining high standards
wherever the Group operates. Employees at all levels and in all companies are encouraged to make the greatest possible contribution to the
Group’s success.
Equal Opportunities
The Group operates an equal opportunities policy for all aspects of employment regardless of race, nationality, sex, marital status, disability or
religious or political belief. In practice this means that the Group will select the best people available for positions on the basis of merit and
ability, making the most effective use of the talents and experience of people in the business.
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 an d welfare
The directors are committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of employees at work so far as is reasonably practicable and apply high
standards throughout the organisation in the management and control of operations. These standards are designed to ensure that, in all activities,
the Group properly safeguards those who work for it and those who may be affected by the Group’s business.
Corporate social respon sibility
A review of the Group’s corporate social responsibility policy is contained on pages 24 and 25 of the Annual Review and further details are
contained in the separate report on corporate social responsibility, Vodafone future.
Au ditors
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 £22m (2000 – £16m) for non-audit assignments
compared to £31m (2000 – £17m) charged by six other audit firms employed by the Group. The fees for non-audit assignments include amounts
for corporate finance services (£4m), tax advice (£3m) and IT consultancy and other services (£15m).
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.
Substan tial sh areholdin gs
The directors are not aware of any holding in the ordinary share capital of Vodafone Group Plc which, at 29 May 2001, exceeded 3% except that
Hutchison Whampoa Limited had a holding of 3.14%.