People survey
In 2010 Umicore completed its fifth world-wide employee opinion survey. Employees in 35 countries took part in the survey, which was translated into 18 different languages. The overall participation rate rose to 86 %, a record level for Umicore. This excellent response rate illustrates the importance that both management and the employees attach to this feedback process. The survey was processed by an external consultant in order to guarantee data anonymity and to allow valid benchmarking.
The survey consisted of 97 items which were later grouped in 12 categories, such as “leadership”, “customer focus & quality” and “involvement & empowerment”. The results ere analysed at Group, unit, country and site level by comparing them with the results of previous Umicore surveys and with the relevant external benchmarks. The results were communicated throughout Umicore in early 2011. Based on the results, action plans are deployed at unit and local level to address those areas where improvements can be made.
The overall results show consistent progress in most categories. The most noticeable improvements were made on “Information and Communication” and “Direct Supervision”.
The scores vary somewhat between business units and regions. Variances in regional and country results can be explained partly by cultural differences in scoring: national benchmarks can differ substantially from one country to another. In most countries where Umicore has a significant presence, Umicore scores better than the national benchmark of these countries.
As part of the measurement towards the Vision 2015 objective of “Preferred Employer”, the effectiveness of the improvement plans will be gauged in early 2013 and in late 2015, during the next editions of the people survey.