Sustainability Report - Leighton Asia

performance driven cultureexperiences and promotional opportunities. For example in2008 Leighton Asia sent a number of senior managers toAustralia to complete management development programmesand in 2009 we will sponsor two young engineers to undertakethe Leighton Masters Degree in Project Management at theUniversity of NSW.The company offers a wide range of in-house trainingprogrammes and manages tailor-made external courses tosupport staff training and development. These include staffinduction sessions for all new employees, knowledgemanagement seminars, crisis management training, as wellas supervisory training, communication skills training, culturalawareness training, performance management training, andlanguage training.The Leighton Asia “Training Corner” has been developed on thecompany portal as a learning platform for Leighton Asia staff.This system is tailor-made to provide our staff with informationon learning and development without the constraints of theirgeographical work location.Measuring and rewarding performanceThe performance appraisal system was revamped this year.The system provides an objective mechanism to assess theperformance of staff at all levels and to assess and plan for theirdevelopment. The process includes performance evaluation,competency assessment, training and development, careerplanning and encourages every staff employee and theirmanager to meet formally twice per year and give each otherfeedback in a supported manner.Leighton’s reward systems are also designed to ensure thatcompany benefits are competitive within our market andare allocated objectively on the basis of merit. Accordinglythere is a linkage between the performance system and therewards process.We are committed to maintaining a competitive position withinthe labour market and carry out regular benchmarking withmarket and industry of salary and benefit trends to maintainstaff salaries at reasonable market levels.Leighton staff who make outstanding contributions to thecompany’s success are further rewarded with promotion andother career development opportunities.Philippines programmes ensure strong bondsIn the Philippines, a much-anticipated and highly popular annualevent, the Big Day Out is celebrated at a gathering of staff fromthe corporate office and project sites. It is a chance for staff tohave fun, go head to head in team events and demonstratetheir energy and talents in team building activities and is also achance for staff members to catch up with Leighton friends andcolleagues from other offices.In 2008, the Philippines office also held the 7th Inter-ColourBowling Tournament, which is always a popular event, asdemonstrated last year when 120 players from differentdepartments battled it out for seven long weeks before thechampion team emerged victorious.Additionally, the Leighton Asia-sponsored Manila Tens hasbecome the leading “social rugby” tournament in Asia. In 2008,the 20th annual Manila Tens tournament attracted 32 teamsfrom across the region and from as far afield as the UnitedKingdom, the Middle East, Africa and Australia. Leighton Asiaalso fielded its own team in the tournament - the LeightonLarrikins – enthusiastically supported by its own vocal cheerleaders,the stunningly outfitted Leightonettes, adding a muchappreciated touch of colour and glamour to this exciting event.These programmes have helped create major unity for LeightonAsia and our employees.11