Strategy 3: Attract, develop and retain great people
A team of highly trained and motivated people is essential to meeting the needs of our members and employers. After all, our benefit plans and services are only as good as the people who develop, manage and deliver them.
Our aim
Our aim is to provide a positive working environment that is safe, productive and rewarding. We encourage innovation and strive to make VicSuper a sought-after place to work.
How does this contribute to a sustainable superannuation fund?
It makes sense to invest in our employees as it is our people who deliver our services to members and employers. We offer a range of personal and professional development opportunities, including accredited learning. This results in positive outcomes for both our employees, their families and VicSuper, providing increased job satisfaction, ongoing employment and alignment with VicSuper's central operating principle, core purpose and values. All of this is then reflected in our ability to develop and deliver appropriate benefit plans and service to our members and employers.
Our performance
Our employee numbers grew by 15 people in 2007/08, a total increase of 8.87%. The average increase over the past five years is 11.68% per annum. The majority of this growth was in our superannuation advice, member benefits and services and employer services areas to meet the increasing demand for services from VicSuper Fund members and employers.
We introduced a Sustainability Scholarship for two employees to participate in a scientific research expedition with Earthwatch or Conservation Volunteers Australia, which will help to facilitate personal and workplace leadership in the area of sustainability.
In 2007/08 VicSuper conducted its first employee engagement survey. Hewitt Associates partnered with VicSuper to introduce a formal employee engagement survey which was completed in July 2007. Our completion rate was 52% with an overall engagement score of 58%. This places VicSuper around average for Australian industry according to Hewitt Associate's 2006/07 'Best Employers in Australia and New Zealand Study'. We intend to implement actions in accordance with the feedback received in this survey in 2008/09.
VicSuper maintained its citation from the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) in 2007/08. This means we are categorised as an EOWA Employer of Choice for Women.
Key commitments for 2008/09
- Review and update the employee sustainability training module for existing employees.
- Implement actions in accordance with the employee engagement survey feedback.
- Review the current employee performance management system to increase its usage and improve its effectiveness.
Performance indicator | 2004/05 | 2005/06 | 2006/07 | 2007/08 | Prior year % change |
Sick days taken per employee | 2.6 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 3.4 |
|
External training hours per employee member | 17.8 | 26 | 19.1 | 10.1 |
|
Formal complaints or incidents of discrimination | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
OH&S incidents | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
|
OH&S incidents resulting in lost days, injuries* or work related fatalities | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
17.07%* Does not include first aid level injuries
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