A great place to work
At UK Mail we realise that our circa 2,500 employees are our greatest asset.
Our success in persistently exceeding customer expectations has been based on recruiting and retaining the highest possible standard of staff, from backgrounds that best reflect our communities, and encouraging them to develop to their full potential. We firmly believe that every warehouse, depot and office should be a place where skills and development are actively encouraged.
In 2008 we achieved Investors in People re-accreditation. We are extremely proud of this achievement, not least because this status is partially dependent on positive feedback from staff across the business. Notably, employee turnover has continued to fall, having now reduced every year for the last five years. We see both of these developments as great indicators that we really do look after our staff.
Skills & development
UK Mail invests heavily in training and development activities for all its employees. All managers are coached in a wide variety of skill areas including dispute resolution, performance management, accident investigation and supervisory skills. Our Learning & Development unit has also been instrumental in launching a comprehensive range of courses for employees at all levels including the Basic Skills training course aimed at those requiring extra tuition in English and Mathematics. Its latest initiative has been to successfully roll out a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) programme for night workers at its Birmingham site which resulted in 70% of the night force obtaining the qualification. We believe courses should be made accessible to all willing employees so interpreters were used to enable our non-English speaking staff to participate.
Benefits
Our employees enjoy a competitive range of rewards and benefits at UK Mail. Amongst these is the Childcare Voucher scheme allowing working mothers and fathers to make significant savings on childcare costs. We also offer vouchers towards employee eye tests for those using PCs as part of their day-to-day duties.
We operate attractive bonus and incentive schemes for large members of staff following the completion of a specified length of service. Employee loyalty is of paramount importance to us so we recognise and reward individuals’ commitment to the company with the allocation of long service awards.
To support our staff welfare programme we also provide, via a third party, a confidential 24 hour helpline which provides free counselling and advice on a wide range of subjects. Healthcare cash plans, pension schemes and life assurance are also available to all Business Post employees.
Employee voice
UK Mail set up the Employee Consultative Group (ECG) in 2004 to act as a consultative body offering advice and support to staff on a wide range of issues, as well as providing an outlet for staff to articulate their views and ideas for improvements in the workplace.
Since its establishment over four years ago the ECG has been strengthened to provide a more robust platform for all employees to make a significant contribution to bring about change within the organisation and to provide a forum for the exchange of information, opinions and feedback. There are just over 100 site-based ECG representatives with eight regional representatives - and one national representative who is employed on a full-time basis and elected by popular vote.
An annual employee survey is conducted once a year and continues to provide invaluable feedback on issues affecting our employees.
Employee Health & Safety
At UK Mail we fully embrace the legal and moral obligation to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees and others who may be affected by our operations. Robust policies have been developed and deployed to ensure training, risk assessment, safe systems of work and accident investigation procedures are carried out throughout the network. Health and Safety is discussed at Group Board meetings utilising the monthly Health and Safety report, which outlines proactive and reactive measures for discussion and debate. A full Health, Safety and Environment audit is carried out each year at all operating locations. A Health and Safety intranet site contains readily available information for managers on specific procedures and policies such as emergency response, safe systems, risk assessments, accident investigations, limited quantities of dangerous goods allowed and communications to promote health and safety and to prevent accidents from occurring in the workplace. The Group continues to ensure all the requirements of current and future employment and Health and Safety legislation are met and managers are kept up to date with changes in legislation through quarterly seminars.
Equality & Inclusion
We believe that inclusion is about ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to access UK Mail as an employer, including those who may be, or feel, disadvantaged in the workplace. We aim to provide the opportunity for everyone to gain meaningful work and treat every member of our diverse workforce exactly the same regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origin, age, beliefs, or whether they have a disability. Catering for all our employees’ needs includes providing a range of flexible working practices for those caring for children or other dependants.
In support of our commitment to manage and operate in a responsible manner UK Mail signed up to the Global Compact at the end of 2007, a framework for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.
Click here to read our full CSR policy
