What it takes to become Best Employer

Can a company put in place good HR practices in times of crisis? For our colleague Ctirad Lolek, HR Director of our Ostrava site, the answer is yes. This conviction has just been rewarded: our Czech site was recently recognised as the title Best Employer in the Moravian and Silesian Region, and Ctirad himself has been identified as the most significant HR figure in 5 regions of the country. We asked him how he achieved this success…

“First, we launched a new HR strategy in our company back in 2008. Second, it is thanks to the approach we took during the crisis and the way we faced up to the crisis in 2009.

We offered above standard severance pay and also treated the employees in an above standard way. We provided them with a very good outplacement programme which covered e.g. orientation on the labor market, practical and psychological support at our Help Centre. And I would also like to mention special meetings between the  CEO and leaving employees. The meetings were very sensitive but also highly appreciated by leaving employees.

Another element which was highly regarded was that in 2009 we trained more employees than in 2008. We took advantage of the ‘Educate Yourselves’ programme funded by EU. We set up a performance management system, talent management, created a quality development programme for our foremen.

Throughout 2009, we were able to maintain a very good level of communication flow within the whole organisation. We held regular meetings between CEO and talents and special proxy meetings for foremen. Besides, we also managed to set in motion our internal labor market and redeployed over 2,600 employees to new workplaces which increased our flexibility for the future. And all of this was done within the social dialogue with Trade Unions. So, I think that even in time of crisis very good HR activities can be done.”

Collaboration: Ivo Sterba, Communications, ArcelorMittal Ostrava
Photo: Ivo Sterba, Communications, ArcelorMittal Ostrava