2008/09 workplace targets

Progress against the targets we set and published last year is as follows:

Target: To reinforce our approach to health and safety reporting across the Group

Health and safety information relating to legally reported accidents, pharmacy dispensing errors and environmental incidents is collected on a monthly basis across our businesses using standardised criteria and definitions. This information is reported to the Board each month and reviewed at every Board meeting.

Target: To deliver a workplace health programme that is aligned to the business and makes a positive contribution to the health and wellbeing of our people

A number of our businesses have now established health leadership teams which aim to implement healthcare initiatives relevant to their people. These include healthy eating and fitness programmes as well as healthy heart campaigns. The key to this work has been Alliance Boots involvement in the UK with the Business in the Community Business Action on Health Leadership Team, which is chaired by Alex Gourlay, Chief Executive of our Health & Beauty Division. The lessons learned from this are being shared across the Group through our network of corporate social responsibility ‘champions’.

Target: To introduce a localised form of Great Place To Work survey to all parts of the Group

The Great Place to Work employee survey, which measures the level of engagement our people have within the workplace, was developed by Boots UK and remains an important element of their annual human resources programme. We have shared this knowledge and experience amongst human resources colleagues across the Group and, with sensitivity to cultural differences and national legislation, have implemented aspects of the programme where we can.

Target: To continue to communicate regularly with all employees across the Group

Regular communication across the Group ensures that our people are kept informed of all key events and announcements. There are various channels used to achieve this goal, which include newsletters, internal announcements and a number of intranet sites.