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2014 Registration Document
Social responsibility
2
Action plans
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Offering benefits for employees and their families
The Carrefour group is a responsible employer that offers benefit schemes
to all employees in the countries in which it operates. The schemes are
adapted to respect local practices and obligations and to meet the needs
of employees and their families.
The approach is part of Carrefour’s desire to meet its employees’
changing social protection needs. It also means providing information
on the various Group benefit schemes to highlight the components that
make up employees’ remuneration.
For example, in 2014, Atacadão in Brazil launched a vast Cooperata
programme offering economic, social and educational benefits to 84%
of company employees (low-interest loans, school kits, and educational
activities, etc.).
In France, Carrefour also renewed its Group profit-sharing agreement in
2013 for a period of three years. Carrefour encourages employee savings
in Company mutual funds by offering a Group Savings Plan (PEG) and
a Collective Group Retirement Savings Plan (PERCO). Carrefour offers
an employee stock ownership plan, Carrefour Actions, as one of the
six funds available. At 31 December 2014, Carrefour employees held
1.06% of the Company’s share capital through the Group savings plan.
Since July 2014, the Carrefour employee savings plan has also offered
employees a second solidarity fund, Carrefour Prudence Solidaire, where
they can put their money to work while helping others.
2.2.1.3
Creating the conditions
for employees to flourish
Carrefour wishes to offer all employees the opportunity to flourish at
work and strives to create the necessary conditions by cultivating social
dialogue, listening to its employees and monitoring working conditions.
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Developing and encouraging social dialogue
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The culture of social dialogue at Group level
The Carrefour group has long been committed to consultation through
high-quality internal and external social dialogue in support of individual
and collective development.
The agreement signed in 2001 by Carrefour with the UNI (Union Network
International, now the UNI Global Union) reflected its historic practice of
social dialogue and respect for basic rights in its various activities. It helps
maintain an ongoing, constructive dialogue between Carrefour, UNI, and
the affiliated trade union organisations. By respecting fundamental rights
in the workplace, Carrefour recognises and promotes union rights and the
right to collective bargaining. These values benefit its employees around
the world. Renegotiation of the agreement was started in 2014. The new
agreement will address various CSR issues and reconfirm respect of
the fundamental principles. Carrefour’s European works council’s 2012
joint declaration on gender equality will also be appended.
Carrefour created one of the first European works councils, the European
Consultation and Information Committee (ECIC), whose constitutional
agreement was signed in 1996 with the FIET (now part of the UNI).
A supplementary agreement signed in 2011 has helped to strengthen
social dialogue and give new impetus to the Committee’s operations.
Since 2012, an additional training/information meeting has been organised
on a theme defined in advance. In May 2014, the seminar addressed
occupational health, providing a comprehensive overview of all initiatives
taken and the action plans slated for the end of 2014.
ECIC meetings are a true forum for information and idea sharing.
Numerous speakers are invited to talk on a wide range of subjects
related not only to Carrefour’s activities but also its economic and
competitive environment. The CSR approach and best practices are
also presented and promoted. Organisational changes are outlined by
the Human Resources directors of the countries concerned. The Group’s
General Management and Executive Management in France and Europe
contribute regularly to discussions, which are always highly appreciated.
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Advancing social dialogue in the countries
The quality of social dialogue at Carrefour goes beyond simple regulatory
requirements and is implemented in all Group countries. Discussions and
consultation with staff or trade union representatives can take place at a
national or transnational level, depending on the needs identified locally.
Organised by Carrefour and UNI, they support maintaining or gradually
improving the level of social dialogue in countries where the Group is
present. A meeting to exchange and share views with representatives of
Brazilian and Argentinean trade unions was organised in October 2014
as part of this effort to promote social dialogue.
Respect for union rights and strong, constructive social dialogue means
that staff representatives are present in all Group activities.