Singapore Airlines 2007 Annual Report Download - page 27

Singapore Airlines 25 Annual Report 2006-07
OPERATING REVIEW
out-sourced; managing medical costs as well as
considering the introduction of co-payment and
portability for hospitalisation benefi ts; and putting in
place workplace health programmes to improve work-
life balance. Committed to work collaboratively in a
problem-solving approach, the partners have also agreed
to continue discussing and fi nding solutions for other
challenges and issues that have not been identifi ed or
resolved as yet.
Earlier during the year, companies in the Group took a
step towards the implementation of a performance-based
rewards system with the payment of the profi t-sharing
bonus for fi nancial year 2005-06 according to new
agreements with unions. Under the new three-year
agreements, bonuses payable to staff will progressively
be linked to company-specifi c key performance
indicators. This is different from the past where the
bonuses for all employees in the Group were based
entirely on the Group’s performance for the year.
The Company continued its relentless efforts to drive
productivity higher and foster a vibrant workplace culture
through developing and investing in employees.
Staff from Cabin Crew, Flight Operations and Marketing
are better equipped to serve customers and perform
their duties with the introduction of W@VES (Workplace
@ Virtually Everywhere, Seamlessly) in January 2007.
This is the fi rst phase of the project to roll out the new
one-stop virtual work environment in the Company. The
online portal allows staff to have accurate and up-to-
date information relevant to their job functions at their
fi ngertips. For example, cabin crew and pilots are alerted
of their next fl ight duty when they log on to the portal.
Links to all the essential information related to that
fl ight are displayed on the same page to facilitate the
preparation for the fl ight with greater ease. In addition,
staff can also download the information onto mobile
hand-held devices for reference at a later time.
The Singapore Airlines Group Sports Club was offi cially
opened on 6 May 2006. The $24 million structure,
built on a site near the Singapore Airlines Training
Centre, houses some of the best sports facilities for
staff to embrace a healthy lifestyle and work-life
balance. Participation in sports and recreational
activities organised by the Club also provides
opportunities for interaction and networking in an
informal and relaxed setting.
A follow-up to the Singapore Airlines Organisational
Climate Survey, fi rst done in 2005, was carried out
during the year in review. The extensive survey seeks
to assess if there has been an improvement in the
overall employee engagement level and seeks feedback
from Singapore-based staff and those posted overseas
on topics such as job satisfaction, work relationships,
training and development.
The Airline’s efforts in promoting career opportunities
in the Company received positive affi rmation from two
independent surveys. Students from local universities
named the Airline ‘Employer of Choice’, in a survey
conducted by Sweden-based research agency, Universum
Communications, as part of a worldwide Ideal Employer
survey. Singapore Airlines was also voted employer
of choice in a survey of fresh local graduates by Jobs
Factory, a campus recruitment specialist in Singapore.
As at 31 March 2007, the staff strength of Singapore
Airlines Group was 29,457, an increase of 2.3 percent
over the previous year. 13,942 (47.3 percent) were
employed by the Airline, with 6,914 as cabin crew and
2,174 as pilots.