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ELIA GROUP 2011 SOCIAL REPORT
Staff policy In carrying out its activities, Elia relies on the professionalism and expertise of some 1,785 staff, including 1,168 in Belgium, of whom half (49.91%) have joined the company since it was founded in 2001, thereby creating an excellent blend of experience and innovation.
The Elia Group faces a variety of challenges, in a constantly and rapidly changing energy environment. These include the need to: • identify and attract young people, often in advanced technical disciplines, and train them in the specific skills needed in its activities – both traditional activities, such as highvoltage technology and new ones, e.g. all the disciplines related to smart grids and market operation and regulation; • ensure career development opportunities for staff within the company and continue to enhance their skills in areas of activity that are changing year by year; • expand its activities internationally; • develop its innovation capacities; • anticipate the company’s HR needs and expand its skills base to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s world; • integrate newcomers with older, more experienced staff who possess valuable knowledge and experience;
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ut in place performance managep ment mechanisms designed to motivate and develop staff according to their own personal aspirations and the specific needs of the company.
Against this backdrop, Elia has introduced policies on staff recruitment and retention, skills management, training, mobility and motivation. These policies are rooted in the values of the company’s mission statement, which Elia believes are an essential foundation underpinning the way its employees should operate, both within the company and in their dealings with outside players. Those values are: • Entrepreneurship: actively seek opportunities and show the courage, along with others, to take the plunge with regard to improvements, overhauls or chances to help Elia to develop and serve its customers better. • Empathy: be open and attentive to the feelings and opinions of others and demonstrate your desire to understand them while maintaining your own authenticity.
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I ntegrity: be open, loyal and honest to others, respecting them and their professional ethics. Make commitments and keep your word. R esponsibility: be aware of the importance of your work and hence carry it out successfully using the appropriate resources, while at the same time respecting others and organisational constraints and accepting the consequences of your actions.
Recruitment Elia took on 111 new employees in 2011 in the wake of both retirements and the creation of new positions. The proportion of employees with more than 10 years’ seniority has fallen gradually from 68% in 2002 to 52.31% in 2011. Women account for 18.84% of staff and are playing an increasingly significant role in key jobs for the Group’s strategy and future.