People Standards

We aim to provide an environment in which people are motivated to achieve, and where everyone can grow and develop their careers. We seek out and employ the best qualified personnel, providing equal opportunity based on merit for all employees in training, development and promotion, and to administer these and all other employment related activities in a non-discriminatory manner.

Our policies and 'people standards' are consistent with the requirements of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) and maintain the spirit of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) core labour standards. Our people strategy is centred around:

• Being an attractive and fair employer and valuing and recognising employee loyalty.
• Working hard to understand the needs and expectations of our employees, most specifically through our Staff Council.
• Supporting and developing our talent. Ladbrokes provides clear opportunities for career development and progression.
• Providing an equality of opportunity, and encouraging a diverse workforce through flexibility in our operations.

Talent Attraction and Retention

We aim to be an employer of choice by providing a working environment, with opportunities for development and promotion. Our ability to attract and develop talented people can be seen in the number of senior executives who started their career with the company. We are committed to monitoring and responding to employee opinion in order to maintain a culture in which everyone feels valued and to maximise the levels of retention across the group.

Training and Development

We recognise that our employees represent a centre of excellence for the industry - one which we wish to maintain. As a consequence we invest heavily in the training and development of our employees. We ensure that

• Employees are provided with appropriate and readily available training to allow them to fulfil their role and meet legal requirements.
• Opportunities and resources for training and development are made available to all employees.
• Employees are rewarded for utilising and applying knowledge to deliver superior performance.
• Training and development of employees is reviewed on, at least, a six-monthly basis.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

We believe if equal opportunities are not applied then valuable talent and potential are wasted. Moreover, when unfair discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation takes place it brings about a climate of fear and insecurity.

Ladbrokes is committed to ensuring that the skills and talents of all its employees are utilised to the full and that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment in any aspect of employment including training and career progression on the grounds of race, sex (including gender reassignment), ethnic origin, nationality, colour, religion or belief, marital status, age, sexual orientation or disability which cannot be shown to be relevant to performance in the job.

Harassment and Bullying

Ladbrokes does not tolerate the harassment or intimidation of employees or suppliers and the use of corporal punishment, mental, physical, sexual or verbal abuse.

Work/Life Balance

We promote a healthy lifestyle and where possible, encourage a healthy work/life balance. We recognise that the health and welfare of all our people is important to the effectiveness of the business and the need for employees to maintain a healthy work/life balance is encouraged. As a result we provide flexible opportunities for employment (and many of our employees take advantage of and benefit from this), flexible retirement plans, and even grandparents leave. Staff are provided with an all employee assistance programme delivered by Ceridian.

We encourage our employees to own shares in Ladbrokes plc, through the OWN Share Plan and the Sharesave Scheme.