Our Caritas Community: our people At Caritas Australia we employ a diverse group of passionate people who are committed to our mandate in tackling the causes of poverty and to bring about long-term change to the poorest of the poor. In turn, we are committed to giving our people optimal working conditions, ongoing support and focused direction through our regular training opportunities and flexible working conditions. Caritas Australia is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We welcome and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants for all advertised positions. At the end of the reporting year we had a total of 187 staff; 87 located within Australia and 100 based in a number of international locations. Over this year we increased our staffing numbers by eight, which is the equivalent of 6.2 full time staff. attachment surveys for new employees. The surveys measure the alignment and engagement levels of new staff based on 20 specific drivers that influence an employee’s behaviour and performance within the team and the wider agency over their first 100 days. To June 2012, we received eight reports with overall attachment scores ranging from 73% to a pleasing high of 98%. Volunteers In 2011-12, Caritas Australia had 22 staff departures, compared to 18 in 2010-11. From the exit surveys undertaken we found more than half the respondents identified two key reasons for leaving. These were either a career change or relatively limited opportunities to meet that individual’s career aspirations at the time of resignation. On the positive side, the respondents said they would return to Caritas if the right opportunity was available. We have an extended network of Diocesan Directors and regular office volunteers across Australia, all who generously give their time each week; approximately 312.5 hours nationally. We also have volunteers who either assist during emergencies or with ad hoc project work. This year three of our project work volunteers have found permanent employment opportunities within the agency. All volunteers receive an orientation to Caritas Australia and a further task-specific induction program is customised to the volunteer’s role. Staff engagement and termination We engaged 28 people on contract or ongoing employment this reporting year. In February we engaged an external provider to undertake employee /60 In comparing longevity of staff engagement, in 2009, 11 Australian-based staff members had four years or more of service, pleasingly this number increased to 27 staff as at June 2012. This positive trend can in part be attributed to the increase in numbers of staff promotions and expanding career opportunities. Years of service of Australian staff (excludes casuals and expats) 14% 0<1 Years 37% 11% 1<2 Years 2<3 Years 3<4 Years 21% 4<22 Years 17% 2008-09: Only 14% of staff had more than four years’ experience with Caritas Australia. 30% 32% 0<1 Years 1<2 Years 2<3 Years 12% 3<4 Years 9% 17% 4<22 Years 2011-12: Proportion of staff with more than four years’ experience has risen to 30%. Employee relations With the opportunities and benefits online social networking brings to our agency and supporters, it was imperative we developed and published guidelines for staff. These guidelines enable us to ensure only factual information is published in line with relevant policies; particularly relating to confidentiality, information security and disclosure. We regularly update our new Employee and Volunteer Orientation Manuals as new initiatives are introduced into the induction process, such as informing new staff of the ongoing development of our strategic planning process.