Affirmative action and equal employment opportunities at Sanlam Namibia

Sanlam Namibia recognises the business imperatives of Employment Equity, and supports the goals and objectives thereof. Sanlam Namibia views employment equity as an integral element of its overall transformation initiative, with the Managing Director on numerous occasions stressing its business imperatives. Sanlam Namibia accepts the necessity to enact legislation for the removal of economic legacies of structural inequality, and view employment equity as an opportunity to strategically position itself to achieve certain business objectives.

The current Affirmative Action Compliance Certificate, issued by the Employment Equity Commission under the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act, 1998 was issued to Sanlam Namibia on 20 May 2003.

Furthermore, Sanlam Namibia believes that each individual has the right to dignity, respect and the realisation of their potential. It is in this context that the Sanlam Namibia Board of Directors commit themselves to the successful implementation of employment equity. The goals of Sanlam Namibia's employment equity initiative are to:

• Strategically position the company in a shifting macro environment.
• Support the company's vision of creating a working environment that is conducive to attracting, training and retaining skilled people from all sectors of society.
• Ensconce an organisational culture valuing diversity and respecting the inherent dignity and worth of each individual.
• Establish a diverse workforce to best meet Sanlam Namibia's business objectives.
• Broaden the company's skills base.
• Give effect to the Namibian Constitution and the Affirmative Action Legislation

By embarking on employment equity, Sanlam Namibia seeks to create a truly Namibian company, free from all forms of unfair discrimination, with equal opportunities for all and where diversity is optimised to enhance productivity.

Sanlam Namibia's philosophy on Employment Equity

The purpose of Sanlam Namibia's policy on EE is to achieve equity in the workplace and in so doing to foster a productive and fair work environment. The implementation of this policy requires application of the following principles, objectives and related management practices:

Absence of all forms of unfair discrimination

This policy demands the complete removal of all forms of unfair discrimination and a commitment to actions which will result in a work environment in which opportunity, treatment and expectations are based on practices which do not relate to race, religion, gender or any other unfair discriminatory ground.

Specific objective is:

• To eliminate all forms of unfair discrimination, either direct or indirect, in conditions of service and employment practices.

Where differentiation does occur, this may be related only to factors which are inherent to the requirements of the job and/or the market practices for the job concerned.

Affirmative action

This requires the implementation of measures to address the skew representation of historically disadvantaged groups in the composition of the workforce as well as measures to accelerate the employment, training and promotion of employees from these groups. Affirmative action is not an end in itself but a process whereby individuals are given the opportunity to attain equity.

Specific objectives are:

• To address the current staff composition at all levels by means of critical mass targets which are intended to facilitate an equitable representation and utilisation of human resources;
• To ensure that Sanlam Namibia's staff composition is such that the company is able to serve its continuously changing client base effectively with due regard for its diversity; thereby promoting accountability for and responsibility in respect of the needs of communities;
• To implement initiatives for the accelerated education, training and development of historically disadvantaged groups in order to improve their existing skills base and career advancement.

Equal opportunities

The removal of unfair discriminatory practices and the implementation of affirmative action measures will foster an environment which is conducive to creating equal access to job opportunities, thereby enabling employees to develop their full potential according to the operational requirements of the business.

A specific objective is to establish fair and equitable employment practices and to ensure equal job opportunities and conditions of service for all employees and applicants.

Valuing diversity

This requires the development of an organisational culture which encourages understanding and appreciation of the diversity in background of all employees.

The objective is to develop a relationship of trust, co-operation and confidence amongst employees.

Applicability

This policy, as a product of a consultative process, is applicable to and binding on Sanlam Namibia and all its employees.

Responsibilities

• The Board of directors and top management commit themselves to the successful implementation of the employment equity policy.
• Line management is accountable for the operational implementation of this policy through the applicable management practices to ensure a culture of diversity supportive of the company's strategies.
• The Human Resources division is a resource base for the employment equity process and provides assistance to line management regarding processes such as human resources planning, recruitment, selection, training and education, performance evaluation and succession planning.
• Within the framework of this policy employees should also take responsibility for their own development in contributing positively to a company culture with shared values.

Rights

• Rights of employees
  As a general policy, Sanlam undertakes to refrain (as far as is operationally possible) from prejudicing the job security of those who are effective in their jobs on the grounds of the implementation of this policy.
  
  The benefits and practices which arise from this policy or any related programme must not be construed as a right of any person or group.
• Rights of employer
  The rights of the employer must be maintained. These, amongst others, include the right to:
  • Supply job opportunities and make appointments in accordance with the operational needs of the company without negating the principles in this document;
  • Demand sufficient production output according to job requirements;
  • Manage the company to ensure that its business philosophy, purpose and objectives are enhanced, without deviating from the principles in this policy;
    Ensure that the existing skills base of employees is not eroded.