Employment and development of our people

PZ Cussons places great emphasis on - and commits significant expense to - the employment and development of local employees who are involved at all levels of decision-making throughout the Group. This is particularly important to us given our presence in a number of developing countries and we believe that the training, development and support of our employees is of direct benefit to their wider communities as well as to the performance of the Group itself.

A key element of the Group’s approach in this respect is the creation of a performance-driven culture which supports motivated people who are passionate about our future and which aligns staff to the Group’s values of:

  • Courage
  • Accountability
  • Networking
  • Drive
  • Oneness

During 2008 we employed approximately 9,000 people worldwide and we are committed to the development, training and fair treatment of all staff. This is embodied or reflected in:

  • The introduction over the last few years of graduate development schemes in selected developing world territories. These schemes include extensive formal and informal training
  • Employees of all grades having the opportunity for training through a wide range of courses over the last year
  • The high standard of working conditions throughout the Group – the Group has invested significantly during the period in its premises in a number of developing countries to ensure that local employees have a good working environment which is conducive to productive work. In particular, PZ Cussons is one of the largest listed companies in Nigeria with a high reputation as employer of choice
  • Continued roll-out of a group-wide incentive programme from senior management to factory level
  • The UK business receiving an Investor in People award and an award for North West business of the year for the second year running
  • The employment policies of the Group embody the principle of equal opportunity irrespective of age, race, religion, colour, sex or marital status which is fundamental to the way in which the Group conducts its business. The Group’s policies also include procedures to ensure that disabled persons are fairly considered for employment and subsequent training and career development.