Training and Benefits

Training and Benefits

Ladbrokes competes in an increasingly competitive environment. The challenge for us is to make sure that our employees have the necessary skills to deal with the complexities of such an environment and that they find the right career within Ladbrokes to suit their talents and aspirations.

Ladbrokes Academy

Ladbrokes has developed a first class reputation for training and developing employees at all levels, under the Ladbrokes Academy brand. The Academy's scope ranges from induction to executive development from training courses to nationally recognised qualifications and virtual access to one of Europe's leading business schools. In the Retail business almost every District Supervisor, Area Operations Manager, Regional Operations Controller and the Operations Director started life as a shop manager or cashier. Away from shops, employees can develop their computer and managerial competencies, can take advantage of the many internal and external training programmes available and can qualify in subjects ranging from marketing to accountancy with with various professional bodies. In shops traditional training has given way to online delivery methods utilising elements of the EPOS system, BS2000. One of the advantages of this is that employees receive training at their own speed appropriate to individual requirements. The Academy's extensive use of the intranet serves to further facilitate career development. The most up-to-date management thinking and practices are constantly being integrated into the Academy's interactive learning system. In this way employees are encouraged to acquire the knowledge and skills essential to the well-being of both themselves and the business.

Get Set

In Retail, staff training for cashiers, deputy managers and shop managers, is undertaken in-shop using 'Get Set'. This innovative method of instruction utilises, workbooks and online delivery involving the BS2000 technology.

Training in Social Responsibility

Social responsibility training and refresher training is provided to all senior staff using a series of online modules that encompass Fairness and Openness, Preventing Crime and Protecting the Children and the Vulnerable.

For the benefit of other employees we include social responsibility modules in our Racing Start (Head Office) and our Get Set (Shop based) training courses to meet the Gambling Act's requirements.

We have also used this opportunity to train our employees about Ladbrokes' wider responsibilities to our other stakeholders such as suppliers, the local community and the environment.

Staff Councils, Speak Up and Ideas from You

Listening to employees and taking account of their ideas and feedback represents an important aspect of employee relations. Internal communication is augmented by elected Staff Councils, regular cascade briefings and newsletters such as 'What's Happening', 'Today', and 'Staff Council News'.

Staff feedback is encouraged through the 'Speak Up' programme, which complements other communications initiatives within the business. Speak Up is organised through a combination of 'phone days', where staff have the opportunity to talk directly to senior executives and directors, and 'electronic feedback' where comments are sent directly to Central Operations and Head Office. In addition to 'Speak Up', Ladbrokes have a formal staff suggestion scheme called 'Ideas from You' that rewards employees for ideas put into practice.

Ownership

We encourage our employees to own shares in Ladbrokes plc, through the OWN Share Plan and the Sharesave Scheme. Roughly 50 per cent of employees have a share stake in Ladbrokes.

Extra Benefits

Ladbrokes employee benefits package comprises various opportunities and procedures that include grandparents' leave, flexible working, flexible retirement, ClubLadbrokes staff discounts and even the opportunity to own shares in the company. The benefits package is enhanced by the addition of 'Bringme' - a joint venture with Lloyds TSB. ClubLadbrokes is internet and phone based and offers a range of product discounts that match the profile of our employees including Thomas Cook holidays, discounted CDs, DVDs, clothing, electrical goods, and many other products and services from hundreds of outlets.

Supporting People at Work

Our employee support programmes include a Healthcare Plan (HSA), stress management training and the establishment of a post-incident support team (made up of trained volunteer colleagues) who provide support to any member of staff who has been involved in an incident at work. In addition, a free and confidential telephone helpline, available 365 days of the year, supports employees who need advice on various matters including financial, matrimonial and employment issues.