Guernsey Post HR director Steve Rains, right, receives the Investors in People plaque from Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland. Behind is chief executive Gordon Steele. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0776738)
GUERNSEY POST has achieved Investors in People accreditation.
Preparatory work involved developing a clear corporate strategy and an18-month business plan with particular emphasis on improving internal communications, enhancing development through a comprehensive learning and development programme and implementing new employment policies.
HR director Steve Rains has responsibility for 276 employees in terms of recruitment, retirement and everything inbetween, including learning and development.
‘We didn’t go into this assessment just to get the plaque, and it was to test ourselves against an international standard,’ he said.
‘The independent assessor who came said we had fully met all of the 10 criteria at this stage.
‘We have the standard for three years but, at the end of it, we will be tested again and we will have to have progressed in order to keep it, so it demands continuous improvement.’
Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland presented a commemorative plaque to the company in a ceremony at the utility’s Envoy House headquarters.
He said it had been great to see the way the company had introduced mechanised sorting and its new building, but people were key to the whole thing and the same applied across the whole island.
‘We have to get the maximum out of everybody in Guernsey, harness potential and train people to their full optimum,’ he said.
Guernsey Post is the first of the island’s utilities to achieve IIP status.
Chief executive Gordon Steele said the award marked the end of two years of hard work for colleagues, in particular the HR department.
‘We see it as foundation for our goal to be the employer of choice in the island,’ he said
‘For us, IIP is not just about winning an award, it is about creating a culture of development which recognises all people in our business. We hope that continued development can enhance and improve our business, driving even greater success in future.’
Article posted on 5th June, 2009 - 2.30pm
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