Södra should be an attractive workplace, for the employees of today as well as those of the future. Work in the Human Resources area is long-term and co-ordinated throughout the Group.
Attractive workplace for young people
Recruitment of new employees is always on the agenda. Like other organisations, Södra faces many retirements in coming years. This makes it even more important for Södra to be seen as an attractive workplace. Part of the process of presenting the Company is through participation in exhibitions, employment market days and similar events. The focus is primarily on the Chalmers University of Technology and Lund University of Technology, and to some extent Växjö University.
To ensure access to future leaders, a trainee programme is run. A new programme started in February 2009, and the eleven engineering, forestry and business graduates recruited include three men and eight women.
Evaluation with positive result
A number of activities were held during the year at the Chalmers and Lund universities of technology. Surveys indicate that Södra is climbing in the students’ ranking of the most attractive workplaces. The objective is that more students apply to Södra, and the 2008 result shows that Södra is approaching its goal.
Mutual working method
Human Resources managers in Södra business units meet regularly to share experiences and information. This includes establishing common routines to be used throughout Södra in areas such as employee appraisals and recruitment. Individual human resources managers are then responsible for putting Södra's corporate routines into practice in their own operations.
Introduction of new employees
All new employees in the Group take part in an introduction programme with representatives of Södra management. The aim is to provide a coherent image of Södra, and to give new employees the opportunity to meet colleagues from other parts of the organisation. During the year 225 employees took part in some of the six meetings that were held. In addition, the business units also have their own introduction programmes.
Workplace injuries
When the objective was set to reduce workplace injuries, all business units were assigned with finding ways to achieve it. The key step was to break the growing trend for workplace injuries that Södra has had in recent years. This focussed effort has had a good result, and the frequency of workplace injuries for 2008 is significantly lower than the previous year.
Absence due to illness
Efforts to reduce absence due to illness are continuing with good result and absence is now at a historically low level. Long-term absence due to illness in particular is declining, possibly due to improved rehabilitation programmes.
Social issues
Södra supports local clubs in the locations where it operates, along with associations that are active in areas such as preventing drug abuse. Södra representatives also visit schools to talk about the Company, both on an individual basis and with colleagues from the forest industry. These projects aim to educate teachers in technology, chemistry and social studies so that they can give students a correct picture of what working in the industry involves. Södra also offers work experience positions to young people and provides opportunities for thesis work.
Objectives for 2009
An employee survey will be conducted amongst all employees to measure their satisfaction and enjoyment. The last survey of this type was made in 2007.
Priorities for the coming year are to increase Södra’s attractiveness amongst students, and to reduce workplace injuries towards the frequency target of 10.