British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc Sky People Review 2007

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British Sky Broadcasting Group plc Sky People Review 2007

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc Grant Way, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 5QD, England Telephone 0870 240 3000 Overseas +44 20 7705 3000 Facsimile 0870 240 3060 www.sky.com Registered in England No.2247735

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What do you want to know? This table shows you where to find the information you’re interested in

Welcome Leading the way Sky peoplePeople Knowing what Development customers want How we’re shaping Celebrating Find out more Tuned in to the future We’re going places the future our achievements about Sky people Page 1 Page 2 Page 4 Page 8 Page 10

Communication The biggerBigger picturePicture Health and Safetysafety WellbeingHealth and Benefits with our people Wellbeing Airing our views Playing our part Keeping safe and Looking after yourself More advantages sound at work to working at Sky Page 18 Page 22 Page 24 Page 26 Page 28 Join in It’s been a busy year for all of us here at Sky and it’s great to celebrate and recognise the huge variety of achievements and contributions made by people from all over Sky. At the end of the day it’s all of us that make this stuff happen. What makes us We all have the chance to help shape our future and make a difference. So why not join in If you’re reading this because you’re thinking of joining Sky, you can visit our website www.sky.com/jobs to experience more about Sky and learn more about the great Let’s celebrate! opportunities available for you to join in. The five best things about working at Sky? Here’s what you reckon… www.sky.com/jobs 1 2 3 4 5 Our programming I have had a discussion I would recommend Sky lets you control I like the benefits that and entertainment. or performance review Sky’s products and what you want to I receive working here. in the last 12 months. services to a friend. watch when you want to watch it. This report is produced on material which contains 50% recycled and de-inked pulp from post-consumer waste. The remaining 50% is made up of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

Designed and produced by salterbaxter Printed by CTD by Printed salterbaxter by produced and Designed virgin fibre and pulp. Welcome Entertainment is special at Sky. We are shaping the Here at Sky life is fast and fun. It’s a lot of talented future of entertainment with life-changing innovation people working on some pretty amazing stuff to create for our customers. Enabling them to watch what they the future. Whatever your background, there are plenty want, when they want, and how they want. Whether of opportunities at Sky to have a great career with at home or on the move – by satellite, broadband or unique rewards. Ours is a culture of opportunity and mobile. At Sky we create, package and deliver this entrepreneurialism, and we attract people who share personalised entertainment right into people’s homes our values and want to contribute to them. and lives.

We are also helping to shape the future in our communities – we care about the role we all play James Murdoch Chief Executive Officer and are asking others to join in. Our people are leading the way, working on social and environmental initiatives that make a difference. Sky?

Sky people Sky is a special and energising place. We attract, Sky is a place where you can stretch your talents as far nurture and retain talented people who’ll keep it as they will go; where you can thrive on creating great that way. People who ‘get’ what we do and want products, services and experiences for customers; and to be part of it; people who share our values and where your input will be recognised and appreciated. want to play a role in shaping the future of entertainment and communication. We believe in recognising excellence and innovation. And most importantly, in people who deliver amazing personalised service for our customers.

Beryl Cook Group Director for People and Organisational Development

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 1 Leading the way

No.1 Entertainment Company There are over 14,400 of us here at Sky, aiming to make our contribution to today’s society by providing the best in entertainment, online and other media products for our customers, with great value and service, and doing our bit to shape the future. No.1 This review is a celebration of Sky people and some of our achievements over the past year both inside Sky, and with people and organisations entertainment we work with and for, our customers and local communities. choice And if you’re new to Sky or thinking of joining, it’s also a bit of a We’ve got a dynamic broadcasting and television preview of what sort of place Sky is, and the kind of people who production team, helping us remain the nation’s are part of it – us. No. 1 entertainment choice.

8.5+ million customers With over 8 million subscribers nearly one in three homes throughout the UK and Ireland have chosen Sky.

We love what we do…

Life changing innovation Innovative“ and exciting are two words Sky is a challenging and fun place to work, “I would use to describe working at Sky. It’s a fast-paced and fun media company. full of talented, driven people who love what they do, and are full of energy and ideas.

Seena Mistry Corporate Communications Office Manager 0 CO2 impact

We became the world’s first major media company to go carbon neutral, through the measurement, reduction With Sky Broadband, we are poised to change the way customers and offsetting of our CO emissions. use the internet, much the same way as we changed television 2 eight years ago.

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 2 52.3 million calls From customers are answered each year by us in Dunfermline and Livingston. Service excellence Simply, reliably and personally – the words that describe how we interact with our customers. We’re easy to deal with, we respond to each customer as an individual, and we do what we say we’ll do. 14,400+ employees There are over 14,000 Sky people, with two thirds of us working in Customer Operations, delivering the excellent customer service

We love what we do…that makes Sky what it is.

Customer Operations is an interesting place to work“ – there’s always something new 500+ channels “around the corner. The variety of colleagues and customers that I work with make every day different. Our 530+ digital TV and radio channels pull in over 8 million customers – and for some, outside the home as well, Kirsty Topping on their mobiles! Sales Advisor Customer Operations

5,800+ Sky contact centre staff working with our customers in Scotland.

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 3 Sky People

The Sky People Survey provides us with more insight and understanding of each other and how we can continue to make Sky a better place to work.

The people make Sky what it is

This review is all about Sky people. So, Of course many of us vote by staying – Pulling together what is a Sky person? Sky people think we have over 1,300 people who’ve been Over the past year, we’ve been able to quickly and we come up with new ideas, with us for more than ten years. And while move Sky from a straightforward pay-TV continuously improving our products and it’s natural these days to move around operation to a far more complex, integrated services and at the same time, maintaining between jobs, the number of people media business with a raft of new products, a focus and commitment to the needs who choose to leave Sky is below that including HD, Sky Broadband and Sky of our customers. of comparable businesses. Mobile TV. And the business continues to evolve. This sort of change doesn’t Come on in happen without a lot of us pulling together. We know we have one of the most It’s an open and inviting place at Sky. Despite all this busy work, twenty of our talented and diverse teams in the We’ve become one of the most creative departments took part in an effectiveness

We launched Sky Mobile “industry because every day we see organisations in the country by drawing review to work out our priorities for our

TV in November 2005. what they create, improve and provide on the rich mix of ideas and views our customers, the market and to evolve our to our customers. The opportunity to people bring. Our diversity and our ability new strategy. And at the same time we work with“ some of the best in the to work together to get things done, make continued doing our day job and delivering industry is one of the top reasons us what we are. great services to our customers. It has been people want to join Sky. challenging, but all part and parcel of being We want Sky to be accessible to everyone in an organisation that’s creating the future and provide employment opportunities for of entertainment. all. We continue to roll out our disability Beryl Cook Group Director for People and awareness programmes and work with the Organisational Development broadcasting industry and organisations to address disability in the workplace in our What do you think? sector. We also make disability access at Each year, Sky uses the People Survey to all our sites a fundamental consideration. find out what employees think about Sky as a business and a place to work. This Hello and welcome year we indicated through high scores that 4,100 new colleagues joined Sky over the we like and recommend Sky’s products past year. They were selected for their and services, understand our role and energy and spirit, to help Sky to continue responsibilities and the vision and strategy to innovate, challenge and provide a great of Sky. We also indicated that we think customer experience. Sky is an increasingly great place to work, getting better and better each year.

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 4 1,300+ Over 1,300 people have been with us for more than ten years. 4,100 New colleagues this year.

“love it!”“I’ve worked for Sky Sports for nearly ten years, and I love football. Working here has given me the opportunity to work in a field that I’m very passionate about. It’s very satisfying when you can see that the work you do has made a contribution to the success of a show.”

Sven Alexis Researcher, Sky Sports

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 5 Awards 2006 Sky People Broadcast Awards: MULTI-CHANNEL Long Way Round

TRIC Awards: Satellite/Digital TV Personality Brainiac: Science Abuse (Richard Hammond)

Broadcasting Press Guild Awards: Best Multi-Channel Programme category Ross Kemp on Gangs

RTS Awards: Digital Channel Programme We’ve created a ‘Team Sky’ Brainiac 3 programme to recognise people RTS Awards: International Award who are particularly good role models for our values. Tuned in, Weeds inviting, irrepressible, fun.

Recognising each other

Team Sky is so important, everyone Tuned in to Team Sky 2006 Team Sky Award winners 2006 Simon Cole “is so busy that sometimes we Through our Team Sky Awards we can Level 1 Editorial Assistant, Sky Sport

forget to tell people what a great nominate anyone at Sky that we think Michael Harrison Joyce Bell

job they’ve done. I think it’s great brings our values to life – whether it’s Senior Editor, EPT Customer Advisor, Customer Services Contact Centre being tuned in to the needs of customers Chris Goddard that we“ get to take the time out Lucy Milton and take a step back to recognise or to others in Sky. Someone who’s Head of Sponsorship, Brand Marketing Strategic Planning Analyst, what other people are doing. irrepressible, full of energy, has new Sina Mulcahy Commercial & Strategy Group ideas and is fun. Just someone who’s got Senior Consultant, Customer Relations Douglas Wheller a love for what they do, and encourages Linda Wales Financial Controller, Group Reporting Finance Alex Belsher everyone around them. Customer Advisor, Technical Contact Centre Rob Nicholls Presentation and Events Producer Financial Controller, Group Reporting Finance Team Sky Award Winner In September 2006 more than 1,000 Level 2 Award winning is clearly something our nominations flooded in from all parts of Karin Lombard de-Kock friends in Sky News take in their stride: Sky, and everyone nominated received a Senior Research Executive, Marketing Team Sky desk award. It seems we all Shirley Turnbull Broadcast Awards were keen to recognise and shine some Team Leader, Customer Services Contact Centre Best TV News Coverage for 7/7 bombings light on deserving colleagues. The Kirsty Dryburgh Jeremy Thompson eventual winners got themselves great HR Administrator, Human Resources RTS Presenter of the Year prizes such as trips to Universal Studios Rachel Dunachie RTS Innovation Award in LA, balloon flights and HDTVs. Communications Manager, Message Home Ticker Corporate Communications Monte Carlo Golden Nymph All around Sky, departments are also Jason Robertson For 7/7 coverage getting involved and creating local Engineer, Field Operations Hotbird award (Eutelsat) recognition programmes such as the Laurent Lavallee For Best Satellite TV News Channel Golden Balls Scheme in Sports and the Senior Manager, Network Design & Strategy Easynet Monte Carlo International Television Wow Programme in Customer Operations. Gary Henderson Festival Golden Nymph Award Senior Technical Specialist, For Best News Item 2005 Stuart Ramsay And the winner is... Infrastructure Development IT of Five on the Pakistan Earthquake Our people include some of the best in their fields, so winning awards come naturally... Level 3 And all those award-winning people add David Bermingham up to some pretty impressive company Team Manager Audrey McDonald won the ‘Best Production Co-ordinator, Creative Services awards as well: Vocational Skills Student’ Award from Lauder College Chris Harris for her commitment and achievement when she FT Award Release Manager, Environment & Testing IT secured an SVQ in Management. For most Innovative Company in Europe 2006 Dean Willett Sky News Best News Channel Team Coach, Field Operations In broadcast’s digital Channel Awards Alex Belsher The Royal Television Society’s Innovation Award Presentation Designer, Creative Services Gill Mitchell British Sky Broadcasting Group plc Senior Analyst, Audit & Risk Management People Review 2007 6 Sky creative nominations Promax UK 2006 Sky creative winners Promax UK 2006

Best Drama Promo – Clip Based Best Website or Interactive Promo Best Script or Copy Best Entertainment or Comedy 24 teaser – It’s A New Day (Sky One) Gamestar – Millionaire, Gamestar – Spongebob Mozart Month (Artsworld) Promo – Originated Best Entertainment or Comedy Best Design Best Voiceover Come Home To The Simpsons (Sky One) Gold Promo – Originated International Cricket (Sky Sports), Pin Protection, Gamestar – Spongebob, True Romance (Sky Movies) Best Film Promo Come Home To The Simpsons (Sky One) (Sky Movies), Movies at 8 & 9 (Sky Movies) Best Use of Music or Sound Design – sponsored by The Kieslowski Season (Artsworld) Gold Best Film Promo Best Long Form Promo West One Music Best Children’s Promo The Kieslowski Season (Artsworld), Sky By Broadband – Train Station Saw 2 (Sky Movies) Gamestar – Spongebob Silver Saw 2 (Sky Movies) Best Television Campaign – On-Air Promotion Best Editing – Sponsored by Evolutions Best Direct Response Promo Best Rundown or Themed Promo Over There (Sky One) Saw 2 (Sky Movies), Ballet Rocks (Artsworld) Gamestar – Millionaire Gold New Year Anti-Spindown (Sky Movies) Best Television Campaign – On-Air Design Best Direction Best Website or Interactive Promo Best Image Promo Star Wars (Sky Movies) Come Home To The Simpsons (Sky One) Gamestar – Millionaire Silver Come Home To The Simpsons (Sky One) Best Television Campaign – Television Newcomer of the Year – sponsored by Best Design Best Children’s Promo Channel – sponsored by Broadcast The Hospital International Cricket (Sky Sports) Silver Gamestar – Spongebob Come Home To The Simpsons (Sky One) Tom Evans, Sophie Empringham Best Short Film Competition Best Leisure & Lifestyle Promo Best Cross-Media Campaign Promo of the Year – sponsored by BMG Zomba Jonathan Yeo – Beauty is the Promise of Project Catwalk (Sky One) 24 Day 5 Campaign (Sky One) Come Home To The Simpsons (Sky One) Happiness Gold (can be seen on jonyeo.tv) Best Direct Response Promo Best Low Budget Channel of the Year – sponsored by Envy Gamestar – Millionaire, Introduce A Friend – No Ads – Lobster (Sky Movies) Artsworld Hospital Pin Protection (Sky Movies)

Award winners in the News Royal Television Society Sky News has won the prestigious Craft and Design Awards 2006 International Emmy Award for Breaking Creative Services entered the following News for its coverage of the 7/7 London sequences into the Graphic Design category: bombings last year. The judges Graphic Design Titles International Cricket – commended us for our ‘fast and accurate’ Sky Sports reporting of the day’s events. Thousands of Chris Wilcock, Andy Paraskos and Richard Vowles viewers tuned in as Sky was first to report Graphic Design Trails and Packaging incidents on the London Underground and Pin Protection – Sky Movies first to report that a bomb had exploded Tim Smyllie, Dave Faulkner and Kenny Reynolds on a bus. Within 30 minutes of the story breaking Sky News was broadcasting from the scene at Aldgate via the SkyCopter.

Promax and BDA Awards New York – 2006 Promax is the association for promotion and marketing executives in the electronic media. BDA is for professionals who work in motion graphics.

Sky Creative Nominations for Promax UK 2006 This year our nominations went up from 21 in 2005 to 33. Highlights “best buzz!” include Come Home to The Simpsons, a stronger showing for Movies and Artsworld’s nomination in the Channel of the Year category (see listing “The best buzz about working at Sky above for 2006 nominations). is that it is always a team effort. The Sky Creative Winners for Promax UK 2006 reward will be seen as recognition for Congratulations to all involved in the a team that has put in the hard work winning spots for this year’s Promax (see listing above for 2006 winners). over the past year.”

Jeremy Thompson Sky News

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 7 Knowing what customers want 25,625 Training days attended by field engineers last year. 15,992 Training days attended by sales advisors last year.

Tuned in...

I’ve worked here long enough ...to the future ...to i9 – are they themselves a ...to customers

“to understand that the customer New ideas. That’s what makes Sky tick. virtual community? We also make sure our development

needs their query answered by They’re what keep us ahead of the game i9? There’s nine of them and they innovate, and training keeps us close to what our and make us unique. We draw talent from right? This year nine people from all across customers need from us. Sales advisors me first“ time. It’s all about being tuned in to their needs and across the whole company to brainstorm the company came together to come up attended over 15,992 training days last year, treating customers as people. new ideas in our technology and products, with ideas for Sky to get into virtual and field engineers attended over 25,625. creating our services of the future. The idea communities – that’s computer-based We also opened our sales development is to keep right in touch with what our groups who interact through things like centre in Osterley, so we can test out new Lorna McLean customers need and want, and help create chat rooms, bulletin boards, interactive TV. campaigns and sales approaches. Customer Adviser, Technical a future they’ll want to join in with. The team came up with 300 ideas, learning new skills and creative processes – what an Managers got in on the act, getting closer effort! – then had to whittle them down to to customers by going on installations, the best ones, then finally pitch five ideas sitting alongside contact centre advisors on

to the Executive team. So, how’d it go? the phone, and mystery shopping in malls Let Doug Wheller of Finance tell you... and at kiosks.

In customer operations, 46 people put their There’s “ nothing more exciting than hand up to be trained as Kaizen facilitators hearing James Murdoch stop one of your – where they develop skills around “team mates and say ‘That’s a great idea, continuous process improvement and use we have to do this’. what they learn from customers, alongside their own experience, to spot glitches in our technology, products or services and Doug Wheller work out fast and practical ways of dealing Finance with them.

The whole concept of Kaizen is continuous improvement,“ therefore if everyone makes “a small change once a week in the way they work, think of the changes that could be made in a year.

Brian Pitney Advisor, Technical Broadband

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 8 With picture quality more than four times that of an ordinary broadcast, HD is set to be the biggest thing in TV since the launch of colour in the late 1960’s.

“Leave your preconceptions at home. Feel the energy of the Group. The zany ideas! What a way to make you think differently. Since joining i9 I try to close my eyes and jump off a cliff at least once a day. A truly inspiring experience.”

Charles Tigges Senior Innovation Manager “zany!”i9 Team Member

I’ve taken my team through the

“work we did on the pilot and tried out one“ of the creative sessions on them. I hope to do the same with other teams.

Lois Trailor Customer Operations i9 Team Member

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 9 Development

“the wow“We’re lucky to get the chance to work with factor” so many talented people. It’s really inspiring to see how many of them are genuinely dedicated to wowing colleagues as well as customers.”

Louise Johnson and Christoph Williams Organisational and Talent Development Consultants Sky development

We’re going places… Choose to Inspire It’s an exciting time for us all to be part To succeed in giving our customers a of Sky. With HD, Broadband, Mobile TV high-quality, personalised service, we start and many other ideas and inventions, we by creating leaders in every part of our keep entering new markets in new places. business, with the skills, knowledge and And of course, we’re always trying to do confidence to inspire their teams. That’s even better in the market we kick-started what the Choose to Inspire Programme is all those years ago – pay TV. All of which all about. So far it’s given over 600 of our means plenty of opportunities to make leaders a new perspective on their role in our mark here at Sky over the coming inspiring colleagues to give great service. months and years. Here’s what some of us had to say...

New ideas and new markets mean new competitors. We have all been working to This is inspirational. It gave me make Sky’s customer service more reliable, a great range of ideas to not only

convenient and personalised so that our “encourage myself but also my team. customers know there’s only one place

to be – Sky. Simple – make sure we walk in the customers’ shoes. ...be a part of it “ No matter your background, or what you’ve Don’t hide behind processes. Ensure studied, if you’ve a bit of drive and a dash my team understand what WOW of common sense and you want to get on, means and how to achieve it. Sky’s a pretty good place to do it.

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 10 Managers’ Essentials is a module based training programme for Sky managers to learn practical skills to help them be better managers of people.

“the wow factor” Choose to Inspire is a programme which helps managers understand how they can inspire their teams to connect with and understand customers in a personalised way.

Managers’ Essentials Sky Leadership Training by numbers What does it mean to be a manager at Sky? Development Programme It means you focus on developing good This senior leadership programme aims working relationships that respect the to develop individual business leadership individual. Sounds very sensible in theory, skills as well as building a community but it’s how we help our managers put of leaders across Sky. The programme 78,000 theory into practice that matters. So includes coaching support, mentoring The number of formal training Managers’ Essentials is a development support, core and tailored modules, links days Sky people took last year, programme which does just that. with external businesses and 360 degree on subjects ranging from HD to performance management feedback. New managers are given a great start through the Introduction to Management We are seeing real behavioural and programme. It gives them all the basics performance changes as a result of the

plus the support network. Here’s what programme, as well as positive feedback 5,000 they’ve said about it so far... from those attending and their managers. Sky people logged on to the

electronic Learning Zone to download or borrow

I thought it was great to see the As a company“ Sky are really investing in people

different types of leadership, when and developing them from within to move through the company. “to use them“ and the impact they have. “ 15,000 Clearly lays out responsibilities, providing tips and tricks. Steve Smith Resources borrowed – on Director, Football, Carling Premiership - Sky Sports subjects like customer service, how to influence people, and how to be a better leader 1,250 Managers took formal training workshops on Essential Managers skills

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 11 Development

Since we launched our online Learning Zone in October 2004 over 5,000 employees have signed up, and more than 15,000 sets of materials have been downloaded or borrowed.

Help yourself...

...at The Learning Zone understand and experience American TV, Movies Production team to a full time If you want to get on, The Learning Zone as well as explain to them how we do things presenting role on Sky Vegas channel. The gives everyone at Sky a chance to take in England.” Gary’s manager, Andy Cairns, 2006 competition broadened out to include responsibility for their own development. felt the trip had benefits for Sky as well... not only front-of-camera talent but also

We can borrow books and other resources a chance for us to pitch a programme idea for free – all aimed at helping us reach to Channels and Services. our goals – at work or in life generally. Gary has“ come back with some ideas Thousands of Sky people have borrowed which we’ve already put in place, In 2006 our ten finalists were rewarded from The Learning Zone so far. Since it “particularly how we handle live with a week’s intensive presenter training. Denise nurse started her career started The Learning Zone has dispatched crosses to reporters. One of our finalists said: “It was a fantastic at Sky as a corporate lawyer and is over 15,000 resources. week which took us all way out of our now in front of the camera working as a presenter as part of the Sky Andy Cairns comfort zones with a very steep learning ...at Self Service Development Executive Editor of Sky Sports News curve, we all created some good footage News team. On the HR People Portal you can view a and definitely gained great new skills.” catalogue of development opportunities If you’d like to be considered for the and nominate yourself for a programme or programme, talk to your department head, The 2006 On-Air category winners have book a place on a course. Over 1,500 Sky and they can complete the nomination moved onto bigger things at Sky. Ria people already have done – so go on, why form available from Organisational and Chatterjee was an assistant at Sky News not be the next? Talent Development. Nominations are then and is now a newsroom journalist; Sarah considered by the Executive team and the Pennock was a news production vision International Development Programme CEO for the selection. mixer and is now a weather presenter; This is a unique opportunity where a and finally Craig Timmins was an adviser number of Sky people are nominated to Sky Talent – your chance to shine? and trainer in sales and now works as visit companies around the world. This We have plenty of creativity and talent a field marketing executive. year, John Jelley from Sky News and Chris already inside Sky, and our Sky Talent Sharpe from Sky News Graphics spent a programme is a chance for people The finalists of the 2006 Programme Idea week with Fox News in New York, and Gary anywhere in the business to audition and category were rewarded with the chance Hughes from Sky Sports News spent two possibly move into jobs on air. In 2005 the to refine their skills by working with an weeks with Fox Sports in Los Angeles. finalists included Louise Orr a Trainer in instructor from the Ravensbourne College Customer Operations who has presented of Design and Communication. After much John says: “I was able to see every aspect programmes for Sky Travel; Denise Nurse deliberation, over a high standard of of their newsroom – graphics, picture a corporate lawyer who is now a Weather creative programme ideas, the judges editing, the news desk and the writers and Presenter on Sky News; and Taryn Schmidt, selected Campbell Clark, a senior trainer producers of several programmes. It gave a Marketing Manager who has appeared in the Technical Training Division, as the me a real insight into their success and on Sky Travel and Sky One. Another of our inaugural winner for the 2006 Programme what we can learn from them.” For Gary finalists Sophia Paraskeva has made the Idea category. it was “a unique opportunity to learn, most of her experience moving from our

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 12 “The Global Exchange Programme as the Americans like to say was ‘Awesome’. Going behind the scenes at Fox LA and gaining an insight into the complex workings of an American television network was a fascinating experience. I was also able to sample my first baseball and basketball games.”

Gary Hughes Producer, Sky Sports News

“awesome!”

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 13 Development Training by numbers 30 90 Government-funded modern Student journalists have been apprenticeship opportunities given three-week placements next year in our sky newsroom

5,000 90 Sky Focus members People aged between 15 and 18 have taken part in one-day TV news workshops

Keeping up to speed…

Development within departments – Two hundred and fifty eight other We’ve introduced Kaizen tools in many areas. the Sky Development Community Customer Operations people started out on Kaizen is a Japanese word meaning gradual The Sky Development Community is made a nationally recognised SVQ with support and orderly continuous improvement. So up of 37 people from across Sky who are from Sky and local colleges. The courses we gradually look at the root causes of involved in people development in their cover a variety of job roles including learning problems our customers are experiencing own business area. The group shares ideas and development, management, business and work out the solutions that will have and ways of doing things and meets every administration and customer services. maximum impact. Why keep dealing with three months to discuss topics like Ofcom the same problem when we can solve it reporting, skills priorities and shortages, There are now eight nationally recognised once and for all? We’ve also been inviting introduction, learning management qualifications you can get while working at youngsters in as part of our work with the systems, training for broadband, and Sky. In 2006, we had two special graduation Prince’s Trust. Our Customer Service trainers feedback from the People Survey. It has ceremonies for 400 people from Customer teach them all about presentation and been very positive. We’ve learnt about Operations who had achieved one. They interview skills and techniques. development in other Sky areas and include the Certificate in Team Leadership, had the chance to take a Sky-wide view the Professional Certificate in Management Focus on Focus – the incentive programme and reduced some duplication across (PCIM) and the SVQ for Customer Services for Sky product learning the business. and SVQ in Management. Three of the The Focus scheme is a great way of managers awarded the PCIM from developing product knowledge for those Spotlight on Customer Operations Nottingham Trent University achieved of us who work in our customer contact Our Customer Operations area has a distinction. centres. It’s all about helping us understand focused on helping people develop more about Sky products, and how what their skills through gaining nationally Sky Team Manager Audrey McDonald won we provide turns into brilliant benefits recognised qualifications. In July 2005 we the ‘Best Vocational Skills Student’ Award for our customers. You can earn Points launched Sky’s first Modern Apprenticeship from Lauder College for her commitment for taking part in Focus activities, like scheme. It was aimed at 16 and 17 year and achievement when she secured an SVQ competitions and workshops. And then you olds in our contact centres. 68 apprentices in Management, continuing to submit work can spend your Points. When you register have joined the two year scheme aiming on time despite fighting a serious illness. with Focus at www.skyfocus.co.uk you’ll get to complete a Scottish Vocational As her lecturer Graham Walker remarked your own personal copy of the Rewards Qualification (SVQ) in contact centre “we are really proud and inspired by brochure. It’s packed with items such as operations and customer services. It’s been her performance.” gift vouchers, electrical equipment and so successful we’ve now got government sports gear for you to spend your Points funding towards the cost of providing 30 on. So if you work in our customer contact more Modern Apprenticeship opportunities centres and haven’t signed up, visit the in the next year. website now.

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 14 Spotlight on Supply Chain Spotlight on Sky Media Our Install group have also been trialling Sky Media is a sales-based, team a new introduction programme and here’s environment of 220 people and we what they had to say... have three areas of development focus: • Sales and negotiation • Communication I have so much knowledge now about Sky – • Management I can’t wait to share “it with the customers. The way we’ve decided to do it is to dovetail

Sky’s in-house training with specialised I have been made so welcome courses we’ve briefed external suppliers to

by everyone at Sky. create. Everyone has the chance to attend This just does not feel like work. the courses, and they add up to over 1,000 I am having“ too much fun! days, or about five a year for each person. Best training we have had – It’s only been going three months, but is it I can’t wait to join my team. working? We hope so. Here’s the reaction so far...

Spotlight on Sky's Online Business Unit By far and away the best training “We changed TV, now we are going to course I have ever been on. The topics change online!” is core to keeping us “covered will make a real difference one step ahead. As part of our step into to my day-to-day role at Sky. the online world to offer the very best of Sky's content online we are building and It was exactly what I needed at this investing in the very best online talent in moment in time in my working world! every area. I now have the motivation to approach

issues within my job and I realise “Think of Sky and you think TV, but we are that only I can make things better

about so much more and recruiting and for myself. investing in the very best online talent is I found“ all the areas covered were key,” says Dominic Collins, Head of Online really interesting. I feel confident at Sky. This includes everyone from editors to make positive steps to improve to developers, sales to IT and marketing, my output. but recruitment is the first stage. At Sky we are investing in developing this talent across the board at every level, giving them the very best development and the opportunity to redefine the boundaries of online in the UK.

Online touches everyone's lives and we are building an environment to provide opportunities and share our experiences with graduates looking to work in this fast-paced industry.

“Sky is a major player online and has huge ambition for growth. We have great content and a range of new services and are working together to create a unique experience on web and mobile.”

Dominic Collins Director, Online Business Unit “pushing the boundaries”

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 15 Development “being aDeva...” “The Deva Team spend time understanding and helping our customers make the most of Sky’s choice of entertainment.”

Karen Shaughnessey Deva Manager

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 16 Legal award I can’t imagine working for another company where I genuinely look

“forward to coming in to work every WINNER day. Working on the Football for Sky

Sports has enabled me to work on Sky won Legal Week’s some of the biggest games at some In-House Commercial Team of the world’s“ most amazing of the Year award stadiums, such as the last two Champions League Finals in Paris and Athens.

Oliver Smith Assistant Producer, Sky Sports

…all around Sky

There are many opportunities at Sky to Spotlight on Sky News Finance graduates can develop their The variety at Sky complements your develop our skills and talent. Below are We’ve been offering graduates, students professional skills in a real and supportive “CIMA studies in many ways. Once a few examples. and teenagers opportunities to make the environment while receiving time off and you’ve made it through your exams, News, plus of course offering a wide financial backing to take the CIMA exams. Sky continues“ to advocate internal Spotlight on Channels and Services range of training opportunities for staff. What’s more, our exam results are promotion and self fulfilment in Our mentoring programme enables us to In-house training covers areas like online consistently among the best in the country. a social and competitive atmosphere. share knowledge and skills, and encourage journalism, writing for TV, live reporting, Our graduates are also encouraged to take others in what they are doing. The best text producing, research, media law and the new pilot Top CIMA exam, and one of Giles Edwards thing about mentoring is that it’s actually desk-top editing. our number, Matt Mitchell, got the third Financial Analyst Group Reporting a two way process, the mentor can get as highest score. Third highest in the world. joined September 2003, CIMA exam qualified much out of it as the person being mentored. For the second year we’ve taken on Well done, Matt. Anyway, let’s hear it from graduate trainees, introducing six young the horse’s mouth, and from our education Spotlight on Sky Sports journalists to the channel, plus we’ve given consultancy, and also from our Chief Our development initiatives are based on more than 90 student journalists three- Financial Officer... My role is to look after some of the

“most prestigious CIMA graduate rotations and placements. Gary Hughes week placements in the newsroom, which went on the International Development has led to contract or freelance work for programmes and when I attend a client meeting the case study I most Programme with Fox Sports in LA. He some of them. We’ve also given about 90 Our graduate“ CIMA programme is key to found this opportunity invaluable and has young people, aged between 15 and 18, “creating dynamic finance professionals who often use as a benchmark is the Sky written reports making suggestions on how one-day TV News workshops. will lead Sky into the future. programme. It isn’t just the support to improve the Sports News channel. We’ve they give to training or the support within the business, it is the overall also offered our student placement James Spotlight on Finance Jeremy Darroch

Cole a role after his three month scheme Everything has to start somewhere, CFO culture instilled from the moment in Sky Sports News. and Sky’s CIMA (Chartered Institute of the graduates walk through the door. Management Accountants) finance graduate A relationship“ between the grads, their

Our job rotation scheme is for our scheme started ten years ago with a grand peers, their seniors and Sky itself Regular rotations allow you to get a deep www.skysports.com journalists based in intake of, erm, one. And that ‘one’, Robert that creates such a winning formula. “understanding of an incredibly diverse Harrogate. They spend two weeks at Osterley, Kingston, is now head of Investor Relations organisation.“ In a central finance role I gained working with Sky Sports Text, Mobile and and Finance Development – the main a broad overview of where Sky derives its value, Malcolm Bell ACMA Active, plus a week in Sky Sports News. contact for analysts and investors, and Client Director and Tutor at BPP knowledge I put to use in my current role. The ultimate aim is to develop their talent overseeing what’s now a much larger and to provide them with opportunities for graduate intake, with 46 finance graduates career development – where they might currently participating. They are looking to Nick Herm fill vacancies that arise in Sports News. develop their careers both within finance Strategic Planning Manager past CIMA graduate, joined October 1997 and elsewhere around Sky.

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 17 Communication with our people

“our voice” “You get a positive feeling being a Forum member. It’s a great communication tool in that it allows us to voice our opinion. We’ve achieved great results. Since I joined the Forum, I’ve learnt a lot about the company, it’s very informative.”

Manjit Dhillon Video Conference Receptionist Forum Member

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 18 What have the Romans ever done for us? Forum Chairman, Christoph Williams says: Q. What do you think makes Well, among other things there was the “The Forum is a voice of the people and a good Forum member? idea of the Forum, the central meeting makes a positive impact on the working A. Vision to see opportunities to make 70 place where topics of the day were lives of all at Sky by building better and improvements for Sky people and customers. discussed. That’s the kind of thing we stronger working relationships. Here’s Willingness to get involved and work with Elected members have going with our Forum here at Sky. what some of my colleagues on the colleagues. Andrew Haynes, EPT/BO of the Forum. Forum have to say…” At full strength there are 70 of us all Q. Why should people get elected by our work colleagues all around Q. What do you think are the Forum’s involved with the Sky Forum? the business to be on the Forum for two main achievements to date? A. I feel that being a Forum member years to represent their views. We discuss A. The Executive backing and respect is both rewarding and a privilege. The topics raised by all Sky people, such as as people, no matter where we are recognition from the Executives makes those you’ll see on the chart on page 21. in the Company; better communication me feel that I work for a company that throughout the business and the cares about their people and hopefully

No matter where in Sky you work, this introduction of Sky Choices. I communicate that well to my colleagues. is the way to get ideas raised, whether Moira Thow, Supply Chain Support Mary Agnew, Team Manager Technical for everyone at Sky, like benefits and Services, Livingston The Forum is a voice of the people training, or for local stuff, like bike sheds Q. What has been the highlight and makes“ a positive impact on and canteens. We vote to prioritise what of your time as a Forum member? Q. Why did you get “the working lives of all at Sky by topics we’re going to talk about. Every A. Meeting with the Executive and involved in the Sky Forum? building better and stronger time we meet nationally, we get senior realising that they are one of us: human, A. To contribute to making Sky a great working relationships. executives to come along and listen to with a sense of humour and passionate place to work. Michael Bourla, IT our ideas, and to tell us all about trends about Sky. Xavier Silmon, Customer Care in the business, how Sky is changing for Consultant, Livingston Christoph Williams the future and what’s next. Forum Chairman

What happened on the way to the Forum

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 19 Communication with our people

“We joined the Forum so that we could represent our colleagues, and make their views count. Being Forum members gives us the opportunity to see what the Company is achieving and what the future holds.”

Manjit Dhillon, Video Conference Receptionist Rachel Napper, Post Production Resources Coordinator Forum Members and What’s Next Attendees

“count us in!”

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 20 More two-way communication What’s Next. In March 2006, 500 Sky people attended our second What’s Next 2,300 event at the English National Opera’s London Coliseum. The executive team told us all Hits on the Forum intranet about Sky’s plans for growth – a strategy site. A whopping 137 topics based on putting the customer at the heart raised each month! That’s of everything we do. People had the chance to ask detailed questions, understand what a lot of great ideas... the plans meant for their teams, and to meet 200 customers over lunch.

Listening and learning. Our yearly People Survey asks us questions about everything from products and services to corporate responsibility and teamwork. Our responses Our improved benefits scheme have helped shape initiatives to continually gives you the chance to win fun improve our workplace in areas such as entertainment stuff – like tickets recognition and development. to premiership football matches, or the chance to watch a live radio show.

Better canteen facilities Changes to workforce New chairs More information about If it is worth management (WFM) the company for new Better facilities to cook your own The WFM system enhanced New chairs approved by people doing, it’s worth meals and to order meals from Occupational Health following your feedback Sky Fact Book reinstated for new the canteen starters as part of the employee asking the forum introduction process about it. Bike sheds Dental insurance Safety and security Recycling bins For more employee information in restaurants about topics on this page refer to the Secure bike sheds installed Special discounted rates provided Additional security cameras, secure Recycling bins put in place Sky Forum intranet page through the by Cigna – see the intranet for cycle park and bike sheds, safe Sky intranet or the People Portal. more details exits for cars, improved campus night lighting and night buses

Canteen issues to be Gym discounts More Sky benefits More two-way Sky Forum, Get Involved addressed for shift and communication weekend staff Discounted gym memberships Sky Benefits Extra – check out the Better communication between across the country – check out discounts on the intranet More choice from the vending employees, senior management Sky Benefits Extra on the intranet machines and the use of local and executives for more details kitchen facilities

Reinstatement of overnight canteen facilities at Osterley Health and wellbeing Sky retirement benefits Clearer fire procedures issues to be addressed Feel Karma, the Sky Wellbeing Staff that have been with the Revised fire evacuation procedure website, dental discounts, company for more than ten years More to be done for the overnight canteen facilities and will receive five years’ free Sky environment gym discounts Various recycling points installed across the sites. Launch of a dedicated intranet site, carbon Career progression Volunteer work Discounted childcare credit card, appointment of Short secondments for staff to Opportunities to work 16 hours Sky Choices which includes Environment ambassadors move around the business a year with charities childcare – with tax incentives too and incentives for employees to purchase a hybrid car

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 21 The Bigger Picture Reducing our impact on the environment

We’ve always been about making great things And because we reach a third of all homes, even Our activities span six key areas: sustaining happen in entertainment, and behind the screen small actions are multiplied 8.5 million times. environment, building arts, developing people, is The Bigger Picture, a wealth of opportunities Together, the Sky community can make a massive inspiring learning, including everyone and we can spark to release people’s potential and impact. So we do our best to make great things doing better. create new possibilities, to make a better future happen – on the small screen, and inThe for everyone. Bigger Picture.

Making a contribution...

Sustaining environment Green Britain Week, a week of climate way. We’ve also brought Chickenshed’s There’s lots we can do as Sky people to help change reports and in July we launched work to our customers, broadcasting bring what can seem like an enormous Sky Bigger Picture short film competition – performances on Sky One, Sky Three problem – climate change – down to a Green Shoots – aimed at inspiring people and Sky Arts. human level. Going carbon neutral in 2006 to take action on climate change. To take was just the first step on our journey to part go to skycast.com/skygreenshoots. Developing people reduce our impact, and help our customers We’re using our time and money to have and our people make a difference too. We’re reviewing our van fleet to reduce an impact in all sorts of ways in our local CO2 emissions and will be trialling B30 communities by getting involved with Giving time and raising money Visit www.jointhebiggerpicture.com where Bio-diesel within the fleet to further learning, sports, arts, and many more areas. to help hundreds of young people you can find out about our environment reduce our impact. through Chickenshed Theatre. initiatives at Sky and get tips on how to If you work permanently at Sky, you can save energy, both at work and at home. Building arts claim up to sixteen hours paid leave for Sky people will also get details about the We’re well placed to help make the arts any volunteering you do. And if you make carbon credit card, which rewards us for accessible to audiences, not only on screen a donation to any UK-registered charity things like car sharing, or coming up with on Sky Arts, the only channel in the UK through payroll, Sky will add 50% on top. ideas for improving our environmental dedicated to the arts, but also through Over the last two years, our people have performance at work. our support for leading arts organisations given over 7.4 years of employee time to off screen. charity and over £900,000. Another way Sky people can get involved at home is by purchasing a hybrid car. We We’ve supported English National Opera Inspiring learning We are currently reviewing our van provide Sky people with the opportunity to since 2003 as season sponsor – worth We want to inspire people by unlocking the fleet to reduce C02 emissions. buy a hybrid car with not only a discount, £5 million from 2003-09. This year Sky learning potential in our entertainment but also the opportunity for a cash back Arts made a new production possible, the content and giving learners the means to incentive for anyone who takes part. critically acclaimed new production of develop their interests. This arrangement has been set up with Satyagraha by Philip Glass. Our support for nominated Toyota, Honda and Lexus English National Ballet continues too, we’re This year we launched Sky Learning, an dealerships. their National Tour Sponsor and this year exciting new online recommendations Sky Arts commissioned a short dance film engine that searches across hundreds of We’ve revised our waste and recycling ‘Ballet Rocks’ shown in high definition. channels to recommend programming processes and as a result have more that’s relevant to GCSE subjects. It’s just the than tripled recycling at our sites. We’re Over the last three years, Sky people have first step in our commitment to learning developing new TV programmes about supported our charity partner Chickenshed, and in October we will add new GCSEs and the environment – and with Sky TV in an inclusive theatre company for young A Levels to the service. nearly one in three homes in the UK, that’s people of all abilities. We’ve generated over eight million households we can share over £1.8 million for them and about 12% When it comes to sports, it’s not just great the story with. In January Sky News ran of our people have been involved in some on-screen coverage. It’s also about getting

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 22 young people into great on-pitch action hand strap. We developed them with two our customers and our people, and getting with ‘Sky Living for Sport’ that re-engages experts in the field – Scope and Age closer to them to understand what they them in education through sport – it’s now Concern and they’re endorsed by the RNIB. want from Sky. reached over 500 schools and 14,000 young people. When we see news, we don’t just And it doesn’t stop there. On screen we This year, that’s involved speaking to our see the headlines. It’s about inspiring give our customers a comprehensive range Sky Forum and hosting a one day event in tomorrow’s journalists with our online of tools to enhance their enjoyment of London called The Bigger Conversation to Virtual Newsroom that helps young people entertainment including subtitling, audio talk to our customers about The Bigger learn how the news makes it to air and the described programmes and signing. Picture. That gave our customers the Young Journalist Awards that over 200 To help them find out what’s on when, opportunity to pitch ideas directly to people entered this year. our programme listings can be accessed James Murdoch. in large print, Braille, on CD and via email. Including everyone But it doesn’t stop there, day to day we’re When we make great entertainment, we Our dedicated Accessibility Service Team always working to consider how we can do make it for everyone – so we go the extra of 60 specialist advisors is contactable things better from the initial development mile to design accessibility features for via phone, text phone, fax and email to of new ideas right through to delivering absolutely everyone. help with access services, billing and new products and services into our technical enquiries. customers’ homes. For us access is all about innovation. We launched the UK’s first accessible Doing better remote controls for people with dexterity Making a difference is an essential aspect of or visual impairments. They feature larger, doing better in terms of the way we operate bolder graphics, contoured buttons and a at Sky. It involves speaking and listening to “Since I started cycling to work, I’ve become so passionate about it. It’s great! The benefits are fantastic, I get fit, it’s green and I save time getting to work. I’ve even managed to motivate some of my colleagues to cycle to work as well.”

Michele Seisun Senior Product Development Manager

271,844 Carbon credits earned by Sky employees. 2,439 Number of Sky employees who have signed up for our make a difference scheme. 1,300 Employee hours donated to Chickenshed. 16 “playing my part” Hours of paid leave for any volunteering you participate in. 50% The amount Sky will add to your donation to any UK registered charity.

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 23 Health and Safety

There are plenty of different roles required around Sky - but everyone needs to be aware of how to remain safe and sound in their job.

We’re safe and sound

A healthy organisation How are we doing? Sky people making a real difference Amanda Haslam, five is a happy organisation • We’ve now completed our first two-year Here are just some of our colleagues showed real commitment and drive in improving Health and safety. It’s in all of our interests health and safety improvement who’ve gone the extra mile to improve the safety culture of Five’s frontline news operations. to create a safe, healthy place for us all to programme. In their 2005 audit the health and safety in the business: Lee Williams, Field Operations work in. Here are just some of things we’ve HSE, said “the quality of health and Ann Chiang, Platform Control was instrumental in helping to quickly been up to. safety management at Sky has worked with Occupational Health to positively resolve issues affecting the supply chain. improved dramatically”. respond to health issues in her team. Different training for different roles Morag Best, Restaurant All around Sky, we work in vastly different • We’ve been able to show clear benefits Mike Hurst, Broadcast Operations introduced healthy meal options in Scotland. environments – people in offices and of our risk management programme for clearly supported staff through difficult times. Jerry Logan and Karl Baumann, Sports Overheads contact centres, installation engineers company cars. Nassreen Akhtar, Creative Services pushed for the early implementation out on the road, in people’s homes and helped initiate the ‘Think Back’ week of Sky’s fire safety review. on people’s roofs, and reporters and • We’ve introduced a more rigorous to raise awareness of back care. news crews often working in dangerous accident reporting process and agreed Paul Quinn, Sports Overheads environments – where do you start with new targets for health and safety. Alison Crawford, HR played a key role in looking after the welfare a H&S certificate for a war zone? helped communicate the eye care policy of the World Cup crews in Germany. A Forum for health and safety in Dublin, to the benefit of all staff. Mark Aldridge, Movies Production Our health and safety training reflects To make Sky a truly safe and healthy place Jackie Faulkner, sky News keenly carried out his duties as fire warden, these vastly different risks and to be, we need everyone to get involved. championed good health and safety with the and encouraged all his team to complete requirements. This includes: And the Sky Forum has done us proud. news crews who report on world events. their first aid qualification. • An award-winning e-learning Health and safety is routinely top of their Dave Bermingham, Creative Agency course for everyone at Sky. agenda, and Forum members have already Nadia Farronato, Creative Services raised the need for a four-session first aid course come up with almost 100 new ways to worked with Occupational Health to develop for the Creative Agency, and brought the value • Comprehensive training for our create a safer, healthier workplace. lively, relevant and well targeted promotions. of the subject to life. engineers, covering things like lifting, The Sky Forum is now featured on the Geraldine Edgar, Creative Services working at height and the safe use Health and Safety Executive’s website, overcame many personal and professional David McEachram, Support Staff Customer Service of equipment. as a case study on how to involve people. challenges, and also worked on correct suggested the Incident Form should be on the ergonomics in her area. People Portal under A-Z forms, to make it easier • A five day residential course for our to find. Diane McLachlan, Contact Centre news crews, covering issues such as pushed to make complementary therapies dealing with civil disturbance, and available, such as massage and yoga, to Sky post traumatic stress disorder. We also people in Scotland. provide counselling if people need it. Simon Cole, Sky News focused on the safety needs of the media diving team, allowing us to extend our operations safely within this high-risk activity.

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 24 It's not just the installation engineers who need a head for heights.

“how

high!“Everyday?. is different, it’s great” seeing the stories come out of all the places in the UK we travel to for our viewers – truly a sky-high life.”

Miles Fletcher Helicopter Pilot

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 25 Health and Wellbeing

“ener gised”

“I can feel the benefits of exercising regularly, it builds my core strength, improves my posture and leaves me feeling energised. The health benefits are endless and it’s a great way to tune out and relax after a day in the office.”

Penny Micklewright Reward Analyst

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 26 The Feel Karma programme is an on-site activity programme which The programme and website promotes a proactive approach to provide ongoing support and health, through sampling a variety information ranging from of health checks and wellbeing physiotherapy to health activities such as cholesterol assessments. checks and reflexology.

“ener gised” Help yourself to health

Health-wise 4,600 Sky people took part in the Feel A bit of exercise always helps Automating the information that we gather Karma programme in Osterley and in Remember reduced gym membership rates on the People Portal has meant that we Scotland the emphasis of the health are part of our benefits package. Our gym 4,600 can now be 100% sure we are offering promotion was on psychological wellbeing summer tournament is always great fun, the right health screening to the right for the “Feel in Control Karma” where 1,600 with more than 400 of us competing in Sky people attended people at the right time. Sky people are employees took part in activities including football and netball tournaments. This year our feel karma week offered health screening when they join happiness seminars, improvement of self Sky Sports News won the football and our Sky, if they are night workers or if they esteem as well as relaxation techniques Legal team were the netball champions. last year. work at heights. We take a special health and complimentary therapies. Our England v Scotland football match interest in our pregnant employees and is also hotly contested. And if you’re in make sure they have a pregnancy risk Worth checking Osterley, why not loan a bicycle from the assessment. On top of this anyone can Our smoking cessation support service has gym for a ride in the park at lunchtime – undertake a workstation self assessment been particularly busy over the last twelve or just enjoy a good walk away from the which is easily available on the portal months with hundreds of our smokers hurly burly. 400+ together with a quick training guide on taking the opportunity to quit prior to the good desk ergonomics. introduction of the ban on smoking in For more information, check the health Sky people competed public places. and wellbeing website on the people in the football and Feel Karma portal, where you can also link to the Well netball tournaments. Last year was a bumper year for our Feel Our new e learning programme – site for information on all aspects of Karma health promotion programme with managing pressure/building resilience healthy living. more and more sections of the business has been well received by Sky people wanting a proactive approach to employee and is now being supplemented in some health and wellbeing. We undertook departments with training sessions on “mini” health promotions for our Chilworth coping with the various pressures of life. and platform control teams on backcare, 1600 raised the awareness of travel health Keep the balance right Feel in Control Karma. within Sky News and offered a health We all need to keep life and work in a “food choices” Karma with our canteen sensible balance, and if you’re ever feeling staff. In our larger health promotions we a bit stressed, we’ve got a stress awareness undertook a very successful Feel Karma for guide that may help. We also produce our installation engineers with over 860 a managers’ guide to identifying and engineers taking part. managing pressures in our teams.

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 27 Every Sky person receives Benefits free Sky+ as part of our benefits package.

“I would never have guessed when I arrived at work that day, and from taking part in a Culture Connections workshop, that I was going to be given the opportunity to attend the English National Opera. The singing coaching hit the right note and truly put a smile on the faces of everyone involved.”

Ben Burdon Manager of Vision Mixers, Broadcast Operations “great stuff” Reap the rewards

At Sky we can all enjoy free Sky+ and New People Portal How many of us are free subscription, free broadband, the The new ‘People Portal’ allows access to taking advantage? Sharesave plan, healthcare, and Pension lots of automated processes online, making Plan. And that’s not the half of it… HR services as easy to use as possible. It’s now simple to do things like booking Working at Sky also gives us access to: our holidays – very important to us all. 45% • The Sky Choices scheme, which gives you Or to update our personal information – Take part in Sharesave special rates on childcare vouchers, bikes, just one click and you’ll find all your mobile phones, season tickets, carbon personal records. HR2020 is our email and offsetting and certain shops. Three telephone information point thousand Sky people have already If you’d prefer to talk to a human being, for all Sky people. taken advantage. of course, there is always someone waiting for you at the other end of • Sky Club, where you can win fun the HR2020 hotline. 56% entertainment stuff – like tickets to Have a Sky pension plan premiership football matches, or the chance to watch Soccer AM or a live radio show.

• Culture Connection – our programme for Sky People in conjunction with the Take part in the ENO and English English National Opera and English National Ballet through our culture 71% National Ballet, Chickenshed and the connection programme. Belong to our healthcare scheme National Trust. It’s an opportunity to learn something new, and to take part in dance, theatre and music skills workshops. In 2006 we were shortlisted for the UK Arts and Business – Arts, Business and Employees Award. 4,000+ 22% Number of Sky Choice’s options Sky Benefit from discounts through employees have signed up to. Sky Choices

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc People Review 2007 28 54.31_SKY_COVER_P7_LM:211652_SKY_REVIEW_COVER 24/9/07 14:59 Page 2

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