Memorandum submitted by T-Mobile
In written evidence received to this Inquiry,
T-Mobile UK was referenced in two areas of human resources policy;
how employee representation is structured, and the engagement
procedures with employees for re-numeration and similar arrangements.
I am delighted to make the following response
to the Committee, and this Inquiry.
T-Mobile UK is an integral part of Deutsche
Telekom (DT), a leading global provider of integrated services
in the information and communication technology sector.
The UK human resources strategy is developed
in cooperation with the DT Group HR strategy and the broader Commercial
and strategic vision. This is important, as it ensures that our
employees in all departments and at all levels play a vital role
in the success of T-Mobile UK. The strategy ensures alignment
at Group level in creating a modern, competitive and sustainable
employee base with a global workforce of 240,000 people,
and in delivering on the wider Group strategy in a commercially
competitive and escalating customer expectation market.
The focus of our UK human resources strategy
is to ensure that our workforce remain adaptable to the dynamic
change and competitive factors in our sector, implementing a talent
and performance management programme that supports a sustainable
approach to employee and skill development , retention, and, a
service model culture geared around customers.
T-Mobile fully understands that effective employee
relationships are based around common values and strategy, which
requires an open dialogue with employee representatives and effective
communication with our employees.
DT's strong "social partnership" model
supports the role of employees at all levels and across all departments
to facilitate engagement with the management of the UK business,
and at Group level.
T-Mobile UK fully acknowledges the benefits
of a self-determined representative structure and the legitimacy
of democratic employee representation within the workplace
T-Mobile UK is committed to its Local and National
Employee Representative structure in providing employees an independent
"vehicle" to inform and consultation on issues that
may have an impact on our people. The structure of the Employee
Workers Council (EWC) has direct access to senior management within
T-Mobile at national and group level.
This mature employee representative structure
has been in place for over five years and has proved very successful
in ensuring all areas of the business have a coordinated approach
to granting employees the opportunity of an open dialogue with
Employee Representatives on issues affecting their everyday working
lives.
The role of trade unions within our workplace
is for the individual employee to decide. T-Mobile UK neither
encourages nor discourages its employees to join a trade union.
We believe the establishment of the Employee Representative structures
and the support this receives from employees across the UK business
has led to a successful employee representative structure that
our employees choose to have.
A number of T-Mobile employees are members of
unions', and with one of these union's, T-Mobile has established
a "Union Companion" scheme that facilitates a union
companion to represent T-Mobile employees for discipline and grievance
issues where appropriate.
T-Mobile UK also treats the welfare and satisfaction
of its employees as a top priority. We feel that our range of
benefits, from competitive salaries, final salary pension scheme,
private medical care, and our consultative culture make us a highly
desirable company to work for.
Mark Martin
Human Resources Director
12 October 2009
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