About the EOC Charter
Why?
The Charter was developed following a two-year research and consultation project. All employers seek to obtain the full engagement of their people realising that this directly correlates to business performance.
However, despite strenuous efforts to do so through HR policies and practice, many still see high attrition and other symptoms of disengagement. There must be a missing link: a more intensive, sharper focus needs to be placed on the key causal factor.
The Employers of Choice Charter addresses the biggest influence on engagement of all: the day-to-day management attitudes and practice of line managers. Most engagement programmes overly focus on the effects (ie employee surveys). This Initiative uniquely focuses on the major cause.
What?
The Charter comprises Six Principles. These mirror the six key drivers of employee engagement and will reflect the established values of many good employers. They provide a 'mental model' for managers to use in their everyday management practice.
The Charter Principles are timeless and universal because principles do not change. Each one reflects an innate human need, so the Charter is not bounded by time, or by national or organisational differences – it is relevant to everyone who employs human beings! This permanence means that employers can align themselves with the Charter knowing that it will not become obsolete and that it will appeal to every employee, current and future.
How?
Becoming a Charter signatory requires the employer to declare support for the Charter Principles and to show how its corporate and HR policies align with them. A registration fee is payable.
Following acceptance, the employer's line managers are provided with free access to the innovative IDEAL online employee engagement Awareness Questionnaire. This is designed to increase their awareness of practices that engage the hearts and minds of their people, so as to enhance their engagement and performance. Line managers hold the primary responsibility for practical application of the Principles in the workplace. An anonymous Summarised Report is provided to the employer, identifying management's general awareness of the key drivers.
Managers also have free access to six e-learning courses on engagement-related issues.
Whether you are already a great employer whose values, policies and practice informally embody the Principles, or whether you are aspiring to become an employer of choice, becoming a Charter Signatory will bring significant benefits. And not just for a year - permanently!
