Barclays 2009 Annual Report Download - page 151

www.barclays.com/annualreport09 Barclays PLC Annual Report 2009 149
our community involvement is given on pages 22-23 and 29. The total
commitment for 2009 was £54.9m (2008: £52.2m). The Group committed
£27.4m in support of the community in the UK (2008: £27.7m) and £27.5m
was committed in international support (2008: £24.5m). The UK
commitment includes £19.3m of charitable donations (2008: £19.6m).
Political Donations
The Group did not give any money for political purposes in the UK or the rest
of the EU nor did it make any political donations to political parties or other
political organisations, or to any independent election candidates, or incur
any political expenditure during the year. Absa Group Limited, in which the
Group acquired a majority stake in 2005, made donations totalling
£213,982 in 2009 (2008: £186,589) in accordance with its policy of making
political donations to the major South African political parties as part of their
Democracy Support Programme. Donations are made to parties with more
than three seats in the National Parliament as confirmed by the Independent
Electoral Commission. Support for the deepening of democracy in South
Africa remains paramount for the government. The Group made no other
political donations in 2009.
At the AGM in 2009, shareholders gave a limited authority for Barclays
PLC and its subsidiaries to make political donations and incur political
expenditure, within an agreed limit, as a precautionary measure in light
of the wide definitions in the Companies Act 2006. This was similar to an
authority given by shareholders in 2008. This authority, which has not
been used, expires at the conclusion of the AGM held this year, or, if earlier,
30th June 2010. The risk of inadvertently breaching the Companies Act
2006 remains and the Directors consider it prudent to seek a similar
authority from shareholders. A resolution to authorise Barclays PLC and
its subsidiaries to make EU political donations and incur EU political
expenditure up to a maximum aggregate sum of £125,000 is therefore
being proposed at the Barclays PLC 2010 AGM.
Employee Involvement
Barclays is committed to ensuring that employees share in the success
of the Group. Staff are encouraged to participate in share option and share
purchase schemes and have a substantial sum invested in Barclays shares.
Employees are kept informed of matters of concern to them in a variety
of ways, including the corporate news magazines, intranets, briefings and
mobile phone SMS messaging. These communications help achieve a
common awareness among employees of the financial and economic
factors affecting the performance of Barclays. Barclays is also committed
to providing employees with opportunities to share their views and provide
feedback on issues that are important to them. Annual Employee Opinion
Surveys are undertaken across the Group with results being reported to
the Board and Board HR and Remuneration Committee, all employees
and to our European Works Council, Africa Forum, Unite (Amicus section),
our recognised union in the UK and other recognised unions worldwide.
Roadshows and employee forums also take place. In addition, Barclays
undertakes regular and formal consultations with our recognised trade
unions and work councils internationally.
Diversity and Inclusion
The diversity agenda at Barclays seeks to include customers, colleagues and
suppliers. Our objective is to recruit and retain the best people, regardless of
(but not limited to) race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
We strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities in which we
operate and the international nature of the organisation. We recognise that
diversity is a key part of responsible business strategy in support of our
increasingly global business. In the UK, Barclays is committed to providing
additional support to employees with disabilities and making it easier for
them to inform us of their specific requirements, including the introduction
of a dedicated intranet site and disability helpline. Through our UK Reasonable
Adjustments Scheme, appropriate assistance can be given, including both
physical workplace adjustments, and relevant training and access to trained
mentors is also provided for disabled employees. A wide range of
recruitment initiatives have been taken to increase the number of people
with disabilities working in Barclays.
Health and Safety
We are committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of our
employees and to providing and maintaining safe working conditions.
Barclays regards legislative compliance as a minimum and, where
appropriate, we seek to implement higher standards. Barclays also
recognises its responsibilities towards all persons on its premises, such as
contractors, visitors and members of the public, and ensures, so far as is
reasonably practicable, that they are not exposed to significant risks to their
health and safety. Barclays regularly reviews its Statement of Health and
Safety Commitment, issued with the authority of the Board and which
applies to all business areas in which Barclays has operational control.
In this statement Barclays commits to:
– demonstrate personal leadership that is consistent with this commitment;
– provide the appropriate resources to fulfil this commitment;
– carry out risk assessments and take appropriate actions to mitigate the
risks identified;
– consult with our employees on matters affecting their health and safety;
– ensure that appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision
are provided;
– appoint competent persons to provide specialist advice; and
– review Barclays Health and Safety Group Process and the Statement of
Commitment, at regular intervals.
Barclays monitors its health and safety performance using a variety of
measurements on a monthly basis and the Board HR and Remuneration
Committee receives annual reports on health and safety performance from
the Group Human Resource Director. In 2009, a Health and Safety Steering
Committee was established to ensure decisions are taken relating to the
Health and Safety Global Standard and to oversee the operation of a
coordinated Health and Safety control framework. The Committee meets on
a quarterly basis and produces a quarterly report for the HR Risk Committee.
As part of its Partnership Agreement with Unite (Amicus section), Barclays
currently funds full time Health and Safety Representatives.
Creditors’ Payment Policy
Barclays values its suppliers and acknowledges the importance of paying
invoices, especially those of small businesses, in a timely manner. Barclays
policy follows the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills’ Prompt
Payment Code, copies of which can be obtained from the Prompt Payment
Code website at www.promptpaymentcode.org.uk. Part 5 of Schedule 7
of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and
Reports) Regulations 2008 requires disclosure of trade creditor payment
days. Disclosure is required by the Company, rather than the Group. The
Group’s principal trading subsidiary in the UK is Barclays Bank PLC, the
accounts for which are prepared in accordance with IFRS.