Listening and Responding

Our people are our greatest asset. Tens of thousands of brains working to provide energy can be a powerful positive force. But how do we ensure our employees are listened to? Through the Shell People Survey

What is the survey?

The Shell People Survey – which is carried out every 12 to 18 months - is part of our commitment to listen to our employees and contractors. All results are published and acted upon by management.

Launched in January 1999, this was the first time that a core set of questions had been posed to such a wide spread of people in the organisation - including their attitudes about Shell and our behaviour, values and position in the world.

• The survey was conducted in partnership with an independent company, International Survey Research (ISR).
• It was distributed to 90,000 people in 100 countries, in 30 languages. The response rate was 68%, which is considered good given that we were going through major changes at the time.
• Strong scores were evident in the areas of communication, staff diversity, and the role of Shell in Society. In each case, Shell not only out-performed other oil companies, but also the world’s top businesses.

How do our staff perceive us?

• 80% - we act responsibly in the society/community in which we operate
• 84% - we act responsibly in relation to the environment.
• 67% - we achieve the right balance between our social, environmental and financial responsibilities.
• 59% - we operate with integrity in our dealings with employees
• 68% - we have a working environment that respects differences in cultural background and lifestyle
• 75% - are proud to be a part of the Shell Group.

Since the last survey, we have made a significant improvement in the areas of leadership, organisational ethics and the beneficial role of Shell in society.

But, we will not become complacent. There are areas which need improvement, the three most obvious being a lack of customer focus; the need to encourage greater career development; and a wider gap in positive responses between senior and junior members of staff.