Corporate Responsibility

Both employment policy and practice are based on non-discrimination and equal opportunities. We want to be an inclusive organisation with a diverse workforce that reflects the global communities in which our colleagues live and work.

We recognise that it is important that we value difference and encourage support and celebrate diversity. Going forward we will review how we can continue to evolve our diversity and inclusion agenda.

a1-cbiss greatly values the commitment of its employees and recognises the importance of communication in fostering good working relationships. It is important to maintain regular communication with colleagues particularly those who work in isolation away from other colleagues and are kept positive and confident in the customer service that their business would continue to provide.

We developed our approach to internal communications. Methods of communication include videos, management briefings, internal announcements, and the distribution of Preliminary and Interim Announcements and press releases.

Copies of the Annual Review and Annual Report & Accounts are also made available in the operating businesses and provide employees an understanding of the Group’s business objectives and their roles in achieving them.

Our colleagues are vital to our success. Managers are responsible for supporting colleagues’ learning and development by setting goals, giving clear and regular feedback, and offering opportunities to learn new skills.

Ability and aptitude are the determining factors in the selection, training, career development and promotion of all colleagues. We provide and encourage appropriate training and development for each of their roles.

We have structured apprenticeship schemes in which we always aim to have at least two employed apprentices at any time.

We encourage good physical and mental health. Our wellbeing team have put a lot of emphasis on colleague wellbeing by implementing social events, outdoor team challenges, gym membership and lunchtime group activities. We provide an opportunity to engage with colleagues to create a comfortable working environment. The Employee Assistance Programmes is in place for employees who need extra support outside of work. This includes counselling or specialist support.

A1-cbiss is fully committed to ensuring clean, safe and healthy working conditions and actively promotes a strong safety culture and a collective responsibility for ensuring Health & Safety standards are continually improved.

In accordance with our accreditation ISO14001 Our Managing Director has overall responsibility for Health & Safety policies and procedures to ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements, cultural and specific business needs.

Health & Safety forms part of the induction process for new employees and, where relevant, more specialist training is provided for specific functions.

A1-cbiss uses a near miss reporting system to ensure that Health & Safety hazards are proactively identified, and appropriate mitigation is put in place to ensure they do not result in Health & Safety incidents.

The number of near misses has increased as the Group increases in scale and is seen as an indication of diligent reporting practices. There are still inconsistencies in near miss reporting across the Group and this continues to be an area of focus

Working with local charities is an integral part of our values as a company. At a1-cbiss, we offer our support through fundraising campaigns, donations and by giving up our own time. We organise events that either contribute to nominated company charity or allow individuals to contribute to their own chosen charity. In 2019, a1-cbiss donated £3555 to the Owen McVeigh Foundation.