Our human resources policy is based on fundamental principles and reflects the diversity of social, cultural and legal environments in our host countries.  Employees and their representatives deserve to play an important role in the company, which is why we nurture constructive employee relations in Europe and worldwide. 

Enhancing Employee Dialogue in Europe and Worldwide

In 2008, 87% of the companies polled in the Worldwide Human Resources Survey had employee representative organizations. The same survey counted 166 collective bargaining agreements between employees and management.

Europe
With nearly 67% of its employees based in Europe, Total pursues a variety of initiatives to develop employee relations:

• The European Works Council is dedicated to informing and maintaining a dialogue with European employee representatives, and covers all European Union countries in which we operate, plus Norway. In 2005, it was renewed for a period of four years and in 2006, we signed an agreement to expand its role and increase its resources. A Sustainable Development, Corporate Social Responsibility and Safety Committee has also been set up.
  
• The Social Platform European Agreement was created as a vehicle to expand employee dialogue, promote jobs and skills planning, and review the appropriate principles and actions to be taken during restructuring. In 2006, the Social Platform European Agreement produced an initial scorecard for ten countries and more than 50 subsidiaries in Europe. Updated annually, it tracks Total initiatives in the areas of employee dialogue, jobs and skills planning, restructuring and equal opportunity.

Worldwide
In non-OECD countries, Total promotes employee dialogue in line with local legislation, helping to create appropriate representative organizations. Examples include:

• Cameroon: At Total E&P Cameroon, the Committee of Wise Men, elected by employees, regularly provides input on issues affecting the subsidiary.
• Nigeria: A Joint Consultative Committee addresses working conditions, safety and security issues, logistics services for employees and other welfare issues.
• Indonesia: Total E&P Indonésie provides the SPNTI union with space and facilities and has authorized five hours a month of meetings during working hours.

An employee satisfaction survey was introduced in 2000 to garner input from employees around the world and identify opportunities for improvement. Since 2005, the survey has been conducted every two years. The findings are reported to employees through local recaps and posted on the intranet. In 2007, the scope of the Total SURVEY was expanded to include smaller or recently integrated operations as well. More than 51,000 employees from 238 units in 80 countries were surveyed, with a response rate of 61%. The overall satisfaction level is 74%. In addition, 73% of our employees report that their work gives them a sense of personal accomplishment.