Society
Community affairs
Signet’s prime benefit to society is through the contribution it makes to the success and efficiency of the economies in which it operates, through the employment it generates both within the business and throughout its supply chain, the taxes it pays and the value it creates for shareholders. However both divisions have an active local community relationship programme and during 2007/08 various employment sourcing relationships with a number of community organisations relating to people who are disabled, being rehabilitated or suffering from development difficulties were further advanced. The US division received an award for being one of the top employers in the community for individuals with disabilities. Both divisions were involved in sponsorships with hospitals and quality of life community events for patients with terminal illnesses. In the UK various employee policies were introduced, allowing carers’ to apply for a career break of up to six months and for employees to volunteer up to two days paid leave to help a registered charity or cause. A diversity champion has also been appointed in both the US and the UK.
During 2008/09 community partnership initiatives will continue, aimed at strengthening employment opportunities for disadvantaged citizens. Community affairs activities will be maintained with the Group being committed to the support of charitable organisations.
Charitable support
Signet believes it is best to give support to a small number of specific charities rather than fragment its charitable giving. In the US, support is primarily given to The United Way, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Jewelers for Children, the industry’s charity. In the UK, the Group primarily supports the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. During the period the Group made provision for total charitable giving of $4,516,000 (2006/07: $3,379,000). This included direct charitable contributions of $734,000 (2006/07: $766,000), of which $222,000 (2006/07: $242,000) was in the UK and $512,000 (2006/07:$524,000) was in the US, and marketing initiatives on both sides of the Atlantic resulting in additional charitable contributions of $3,782,000 (2006/07: $2,613,000). Support is given to the management of Carer Centres operated by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. Assistance is also given to organisations that help the disadvantaged into employment in the vicinity of the Group’s US administrative and distribution centre in Northeast Ohio, such as United Disabilities Services, Mature Services and the Urban League.
No political donations were made in the US or in the UK by the Group in the period (2006/07: $nil).
Human rights
Signet supports the Fundamental Conventions of the International Labour Organisation and the UN Declaration of Human Rights. The Group encourages support and respect for the protection of human rights within its sphere of influence. The Supplier Code sets out the Group’s expectation that suppliers should respect the Fundamental Conventions of the International Labour Organisation and the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Signet is working at a senior executive level to address human rights in the jewellery supply chain on an industry wide basis, through the CRJP.