People

Global excellence

Our success relies on the valuable skills of our people. We continue to operate to global governance frameworks and standards which regulate how we manage and treat our employees around the world. We are expanding the reach of these frameworks by establishing shared global practices across our businesses. Our key areas of focus are:

Attraction, engagement and performance

We recognise that successful employment relationships rely on mutual benefit. We are, therefore, clear and open about the skills and commitment we look for in new colleagues. We encourage applications from a diverse range of people and use selection techniques that support individuals in showing us what they can bring to Barclays, paying particular regard to the aptitudes of persons with disabilities.

The drive for individuals to be their best continues after joining our team. Our suite of communication channels cover internal and external topics that matter to our people and raise their awareness of the financial and economic factors that affect how Barclays operates now and in the future. These include global and location-specific intranets, news magazines and briefings from Executive and local Leaders to ensure the widest possible reach. Two-way communication is maintained by regular Employee Opinion Surveys with follow-through of the outcomes at all levels of our organisation and by consultation with our recognised unions and work councils internationally. These enable the views of our people to be taken into account in corporate decisions affecting their interests.

Assessment of performance is not only about what is achieved; how it is achieved is equally important. Resources for both personal and professional development are provided to employees in addition to mandatory training on policies and regulatory responsibilities. Employees regularly review, with their managers, their performance and development needs and, typically, twice a year, a performance rating is communicated.

Financial incentives are based on individuals’ performance ratings and the performance of their business. As an extra means of encouraging our people to be involved and to share in our success, we regularly invite them to participate in our share options and share purchase schemes. Further details of our approach to remuneration are included in the remuneration report.

Diversity and inclusion

Our mission is to create an ever more inclusive environment through ensuring that we treat people fairly, with respect and value all aspects of diversity. Strategies to achieve this aim are endorsed at Board level and promulgated throughout our organisation. This is achieved by a range of initiatives and monitoring. These initiatives include training for all employees, workplace and working practice adjustments for persons with disabilities, company sponsored employee resource groups and an annual global scheme celebrating the significant contribution from female colleagues.

We are proud that many of our initiatives have received external recognition around the world, but recognise there is more to be accomplished. For example, we are monitoring diversity and inclusion progress year on year and, by leveraging our merit-based approach to appointments. We aim to ensure that our Board is diverse in every sense of the word with particular aspirations for female representation at this level.

Global employment statistics	%

Health and safety

The health and safety of our employees and customers is important to Barclays. It is an integral part of the duties of line managers to manage all health and safety issues within their areas of responsibility. Line managers have access to specialist resources for advice and guidance to support them in discharging their health and safety responsibilities.

We consult with our employees on matters affecting their health and safety. We encourage their involvement and personal commitment, including working closely with employee representatives.

Barclays is committed to promoting a working environment where health and safety is a fundamental part of the culture.