At 31 December 2009, Eurotunnel had 2,340 employees, i.e. 2,280 full time equivalents (the stated country is that of the place of work, irrespective of the employee’s actual nationality).
Eurotunnel operates a tailored human resources management policy which is part of a global strategy focused on the quality of service for customers and the ability to meet their needs as effectively as possible under all circumstances.
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Improving quality of life at work
The corporate Agora project, launched at the end of 2007 on the French side and in 2008 on the English side, is continuing to move forward in a sustainable way in both its dimensions. In 2009, moves to further strengthen managerial capabilities led to a very significant increase in the number of appraisal interviews (95% of the employees). Improving quality of life at work, via the seven initiatives plan, was welcomed by many employees.
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New uniforms in 2010
The project to create new uniforms, implemented in consultation with staff, is coming to an end with very soon the delivery of outfits to the employees concerned. This project had 2 main goals: improving employee comfort and enhancing Eurotunnel’s brand image in customer-facing roles.
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Sustained training drive
Each year, Eurotunnel sets aside more than 2.5% of its total payroll for staff training. The average number of days of training over the year came to 3.95 days per employee. Major investments will be made in 2010, with the acquisition of a new train-driving simulator and a training programme on safety and managing customers in stressful situations.
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Negotiations with social partners
Changes in French legislation made it necessary to hold negotiations with the social partners on benefit, gender equality and the employment of senior staff. But even before the French ministry of labour released a directive on taking stress in the workplace into consideration, Eurotunnel took the initiative.
To find out more, please read page 30, on Human resources, of the 2009 Annual review of Groupe Eurotunnel.
As one of the leading local employers, Eurotunnel upholds a responsibility to its local community and all its stakeholders. This social dimension is embodied in a range of community initiatives.
Eurotunnel has given 500 computers to schools in the Pas-de-Calais
As part of its social and environmental policy, Eurotunnel has made 500 computers which are no longer needed at its offices available to around 100 schools and associations across the Côte d'Opale.
All of the computers have been cleaned, reformatted and loaded with free operating and educational software in collaboration with the computer studies pupils at the Saint-Joseph school in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
On 23 June 2009, the computers were distributed to schools and associations at a special ceremony attended notably by the former Minister for Education and former Transport Minister, Gilles de Robien.
In 2010, a similar operation is being carried out in Kent.
Eurotunnel and the Conseil général: a long-term partnership to promote the Pas-de-Calais
In January 2009, Eurotunnel signed a long-term partnership agreement with the Pas-de-Calais Conseil général to promote the region, its development and cross-Channel activity. 36 firm initiatives in economic, tourist and sporting fields have already been integrated into the signed agreement, including the creation of a tourist centre in Sangatte, the establishment of facilities to welcome sporting delegations taking part in the Olympic Games in London 2012 and the organisation of their cross-Channel travel, the inclusion of the Dover Straits as a Unesco world heritage site, the celebration in 2009 of the centenary of Bleriot's cross-Channel flight...
This agreement is also intended to encourage cross-border exchanges between the Pas-de-Calais region and the county of Kent.
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Wind turbines with a community interest
Innovent, the company which built and will operate the Coquelles wind farm for the next 40 years, will pay an annual fee to Eurotunnel in return for use of the sites where the three wind turbines are located.
The Groupe has decided to pass on 10% of these fees, in the form of energy vouchers, to underprivileged local residents, through a partnership with Secours Populaire Français, which will choose the beneficiary families.
To find out more, please read page 37, on Social responsibility, of the 2009 Annual review of Groupe Eurotunnel