OVERVIEW THE BUSINESS STRATEGIC AND OPERATING CONTEXT CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FINANCIAL REVIEW
EMPLOYEES
Senwes subscribes to an employee value proposition that enables the group to retain top performers and attract the best external talent to the Senwes Group . Rewards are set up to remunerate employees fairly and in addition to remunerate top performers exceptionally well .
[ ! ]
ISSUES DURING THE YEAR
� The continuation of the Covid-19 pandemic beyond the timelines initially indicated , coupled with continuous changes in lockdown levels , placed great restraints on the deployment and effective use of skills in various businesses . Creating a stable workforce that is able to work from remote locations necessitated a change in the way business was done .
� A continued challenging macroeconomic environment , worsened by an extended pandemic and the highest ever proportion of the economically active population being unemployed .
� Employment equity compliance remains an issue .
EMPLOYEE COSTS * R ’ m
1 000
750
500
250
0 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
* The notable increase in employee costs is attributable to the acquisition of Suidwes and the unbundling of the Hinterland joint venture ( with Hinterland subsequently becoming a subsidiary ), during the period under review .
COMPANY ’ S RESPONSE TO THESE ISSUES
� Throughout the pandemic Senwes continued to recruit learners from the geographic footprint that we operate in . The group has learners without formal qualifications on SETA programmes and learners that are graduates with diplomas on various succession plans within the business .
� The group accelerated its development of all talent , especially with regards to the management bands within the group throughout the pandemic .
� An emergency response Covid-19 Crisis Committee carefully monitored and guided processes as it unfol ded in government and at the various business units throughout the extended period of the pandemic .
� The business continuity plan was tested and refined to fit the different needs of various businesses within the group . A plan to deal with essential workers who were exposed to the Covid-19 virus was included in the business continuity plan .
� Monthly and weekly messages went out to our employees from the Group CEO , Group CFO and management team on topics such as keeping safe , using masks and curfew . Employees were encouraged to look after themselves , their colleagues and their families .
� Senwes hosted weekly wellness and fitness interventions allowing employees to stay active within limited boundaries at a fraction of the cost of external gymnasiums .
� A special Covid-19 bonus amounting to R8,1m was paid out to thank our employees for their continued and increased efforts during the strictest lockdown levels from March 2020 to September 2020 .
� New joint ventures registered for employment equity compliance uploads and businesses were registered under holding companies on the employment equity portal of government .
� A five-year employment equity plan was developed , with full stakeholder engagement and approval , and was submitted to and acknowledged by the Department of Labour . The group is in the third year of the execution of this plan . As our business changes , the plan is updated and resubmitted .
RESILIENCE SENWES INTEGRATED REPORT 2021
39