Annual Report 2009

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 9 18 REPORT BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HUMAN RESOURCES In 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors had to adjust the HR management strategy to the situation caused by the financial crisis. Even in such difficult times it was necessary to ensure that besides the firm’s strategy which was focused on eliminating the impacts of the crisis attention was paid to preventing a negative impact on the work atmosphere in the Company. This required open and transparent communication with emphasis on positive employee motivation. Although a wide range of adopted measures focused on optimal spending, the management made only minor changes to employee benefits; most of the benefits were kept as in previous years. Given the insufficient number of contracts it was necessary to reduce the headcount. As early as November and December 2008 we stopped renewing employment contracts for definite periods and dismissed employees receiving retirement pensions. The Employee Care Programme was prepared with emphasis on efficient spending. The programme of personnel, wage, social and safety and protection of health at work policy is set out in two basic documents – the 2009 Collective Agreement concluded between ZO OZ KOVO (KOVO Trade Union works council) and the Board of Directors of Železiarne Podbrezová a.s. and the 2009 Employee Care Programme of the Board of Directors of Železiarne Podbrezová a.s. The Company fulfilled its obligations arising from the Collective Agreement and the Employee Care Programme. In 2009, the amount of EUR 278 thousand was spent from the social fund as follows: • Catering services for employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EUR 104 thousand • Recuperation of employees (vouchers to purchase medicines and vitamins) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EUR 58 thousand • Accident insurance for all employees (24 hours) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EUR 58 thousand • Social aid to employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EUR 18 thousand • Use of summer and winter sport facilities in the region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EUR 18 thousand • Summer camps for children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EUR 17 thousand • Cultural events, programmes for children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EUR 3 thousand The Employee Care Programme was supplemented by the following, in particular: • Employer’s contribution to supplementary pension scheme . . . . . . . EUR 566 thousand • Protective equipment and drinking regime for employees . . . . . . . . . EUR 261 thousand • Bonuses provided with regard to work or life jubilees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EUR 117 thousand • Rehabilitation stays for employees, preventative medical examinations for employees in exposure units and selected middle management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EUR 41 thousand • Improvement and enhancement of employee qualifications . . . . . . . . EUR 84 thousand • Preparation of future workforce and granting of scholarships . . . . . . EUR 331 thousand • Comprehensive programme of recuperative measures . . . . . . . . . . . EUR 472 thousand • Implemented employee benefits programme at Allianz – Slovenská poisťovňa a.s