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SUSTAINABILITY REPORT - SOCIAL INVESTMENT |
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STRATE Charity Shares Initiative |
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The STRATE Charity Shares Initiative entails the distribution
of proceeds from donated cash and shares to a broad base of approved
charitable organisations. Shareholders willing to participate
in the programme and thereby dispose of odd-lot holdings in a
manner that will benefit South African charities, can contact
STRATE Charity Shares toll free on 0800 202 363 (+27 11 870 8207
if outside South Africa) or on charityshares@computershare.co.za. |
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HIV/Aids has become one of the focal areas of the human resources
function throughout the Altron group. Due to the decentralised
approach and the diversified nature of the businesses and
operations in the group, the development and implementation of
HIV/Aids policies falls within the operational domain at group
company level. |
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HIV/Aids |
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HIV/Aids is one of the key challenges facing South African
society and business today. While statistics from the Department
of National Health and Population Development reflect
only those cases reported voluntarily to the department,
it is nevertheless alarming and clearly demonstrates the
extent of the pandemic facing the country, labour and business.
HIV/Aids has, therefore, become one of the focal areas of
the human resources function throughout the Altron group.
Due the decentralised approach and the diversified
nature of the businesses and operations in the group, the
development and implementation of HIV/Aids policies falls
within the operational domain at group company level. |
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Copies of the various HIV/Aids policies are available on request
from the human resources departments throughout the group. In
principle all the HIV/Aids policies carry the same core values
and fundamental principles which are: |
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| 1) |
Non-discrimination against any employee, ex-employee
(retired or terminated) or potential employee – based
on race, gender, tribe, creed, sexual orientation or state
of health/disability. |
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| 2) |
Consistent and equitable treatment of all employees, according
to the maxims of both procedural and substantive fairness. |
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Accountable, legitimate and consistent dealings with all
cases relating to disability, potential disability or disability
propensity. |
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Confidential, sensitive and compassionate handling
of any incidents in the interests of the employee's
human and legal rights. |
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Justifiable, realistic and defensible management
of the consequences of HIV/Aids for all employees; an approach
which is consistently used when dealing with any other potentially
life-threatening disease. |
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Pro-active and balanced handling of HIV/Aids which is both
socially responsible and economically sound. |
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In the Bytes Technology Group, for instance, HIV/Aids
awareness material is included in all induction courses.
Consistent HIV/Aids communication programmes are also
in place throughout the operations and include monthly
staff e-mail messages on trends, developments and the
impact of HIV/Aids in the workplace. The provision of
antiretroviral treatment is delivered through well-established
medical aid schemes.
Another example of the work currently undertaken at
operational level throughout the group is an extensive
HIV/Aids programme implemented by NamITech in the Altech
group. This programme, which is continually being monitored
and maintained by Epicentre, involves voluntary peer
educators undergoing training. These volunteers are responsible
for the continued education of employees in the areas
or departments in which they operate. Voluntary counselling,
testing and treatment is available from the NamITech
Clinic and is conducted by an occupational health nurse
who has also been trained in terms of HIV/Aids counselling,
testing and treatment.
The programme culminated in a Voluntary Counselling and
Testing (VCT) campaign, managed by Epicentre, at the
end of 2004. Overall 91.1% of employees were tested and
the low prevalence of the disease at NamITech was ascribed
to various factors including the successful peer education
programme; staff attendance of peer education sessions;
free condom distribution; consistently informing and
educating employees; VCT Programme (Clinic); the available
support structure and STI Management (Clinic). |
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Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) |
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Altron management acknowledges the impact that personal challenges
and difficulties have on a staff member's work performance.
In some instances, staff members require assistance in dealing
with problems and the sooner these issues are identified
and treated, the better the chances of rehabilitation and recovery.
At an operational level in certain of our companies, these challenges
and difficulties are dealt with through an Employee Assistance
Programme (EAP) that is aimed at improving the well-being of
all staff members and includes: |
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● an on-site clinic;
● family planning assistance; and
● staff facilities. |
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