Pulse Survey is an opportunity for employees to have a voice in the company
Next week UTC Fire & Security will launch an online Pulse Survey to assess the progress we have made in responding to employee concerns since the 2007 Global Employee Survey.
The 2007 survey provided management with information on what it’s like to work at UTC Fire & Security. In reviewing and analyzing the data we decided to focus on two areas globally – ACE and Management Communications – and encouraged the regional businesses to select additional areas that were of concern locally.
In early 2006 I outlined the priorities and values for UTC Fire & Security and since then have regularly discussed these with the global management team. I expect that all employees should be able to respond positively to these basic statements:
I am aware of and understand the UTC Code of Ethics and know how to report violations.
The highest scoring category in the 2007 survey, Ethics received a 79 percent overall favorability score – a 15 percentage point increase over the 2004 Global Employee Survey Ethics score. We have made terrific progress in raising awareness and understanding of our Code of Ethics and in helping employees feel confident about reporting violations. We have 92 Business Practices Officers in the company – double the number of just 2 years ago - and UTCFS employees have completed more than 100,000 on-line training courses since the beginning of last year. There should be no reason why 100 percent of employees are not aware of the Code of Ethics.
EH&S practices are considered a priority and are an important part of my everyday work.
We have made remarkable progress in making UTCFS a safer place to work for employees. Since the acquisition of Kidde in 2005, our accident rate has plummeted by 80 percent and our safety record has become a great source of pride for our company. We have invested millions of dollars in personal protective equipment, safer vehicles, factory improvements and employee training, and I hope our progress and our investments are well-recognized by employees.
My supervisor considers ACE a priority and we use ACE to make our processes more efficient.
In the 2007 survey 44 percent of employees responded favorably to questions on ACE. Since then we have dramatically increased investments in ACE and now have 54 ACE coordinators – 4 times the level of just a year ago - and more than 610 ACE pilots worldwide. In addition to adding resources, we’re training people and by the end of 2008 nearly 7000 employees will have been to Ito University or participated in an ACE webinar. We’ve seen that ACE drives real improvements in productivity, quality and financial performance. ACE tools can eliminate the waste of time, money and material that results from inefficient processes – and allow employees to focus on more productive, and more fulfilling, value-adding activities. I am confident that with the right focus we can achieve our commitment of 25 percent of our sites Silver or Gold by the end of 2008 and 50 percent by 2009.
I receive regular communications from Management on the company’s performance, direction and values.
Only 47 percent of employees scored Management Communications favorably in the 2007 survey. Since then every business leader has been asked to conduct Quarterly Briefings for Employees to communicate the company’s values, priorities and performance. We have launched awareness campaigns on Safety First and the Code of Ethics. Year-to-date we have published 229 news items on the company INTRALERT and we have ~35 local newsletters published around the globe to inform those who don’t have access to the company network.
Most importantly the survey is an opportunity for employees to have a voice in the company. It provides employees with an opportunity to give candid feedback on what is going well and areas that can be improved, so that we can make UTC Fire & Security the best place in the industry to work.
I look forward to hearing your opinions.
Sincerely,
Bill BrownPresident, UTC Fire & SecurityMay 5, 2008
