Aluminium Bahrain employees turned out in full force at Alba’s fourth annual employee survey.
The majority of the company’s 2,955 work force (79.5 per cent) participated in the six-day company-wide poll to get their views following implementation of their proposals in previous surveys. The poll aims to ascertain the level of satisfaction among staff and to act on the resulting feedback with improvements to working conditions.
To ensure transparency, confidentiality and independence the survey is designed and analysed by an independent company. The results then will be examined by Alba’s management to identify areas for improvement. “The poll supports the company’s corporate vision identified in its five key performance areas by focusing on its people and their perception of the workplace,” said company human-resource and public-relations manager Shaikh Bader bin Rashid Al Khalifa.
“Alba is committed to increasing personnel satisfaction by 2 per cent each year. According to the initial poll conducted four years ago, employee satisfaction at the company was 52 per cent with the third survey showed that it had increased to 57 per cent.” He said each annual poll adopts a special focus with questions this year seeking staff views on possible changes to company business hours, the company’s catering services and the suitability of internal promotional gifts.
“Alba’s response to the three previous annual surveys has led to major improvements in employee benefits,” Shaikh Bader said. “Earlier this year, the company completed four new amenity buildings in the first of a three-phase BD3.25 million project to upgrade facilities for its workforce. “The facilities ease the process of starting and ending the working day.”
He said a further project implemented as a result of the Alba annual poll is the new internal-recruitment scheme. “More than 442 company personnel have been promoted so far. Furthermore, the new plan has proven successful, and many organisations in the Kingdom have visited the company to learn more about the scheme.”
Shaikh Bader said the introduction of an annual survey four years ago has given Alba’s management a greater understanding of the needs and requirements of its staff. “The poll enables management to invest accurately and efficiently in the vitally important provision of a safe, comfortable and suitable working environment.”
He said results of the survey will be distributed to all employees, and through open discussion each department which will draw up an action plan to further improve staff satisfaction. 
Last update on: 14-5-2005