Social dialogue and employee satisfaction **

Objectives :
Highlights in 2009 :
  • Number of agreements signed in 2009 : 275, including 56 agreements and amendments in France,
  • New agreement in France governing the employment of older members of staff for a period of three years.
Collective agreements in France :
In 2009, these agreements concerned remuneration, profit-sharing and share ownership, the Company Savings Plan, the management of older staff, employee benefits (including healthcare, retirement scheme and company guarantees), the renewal of the Group Committee (composition and operation) and the election of staff representative bodies and delegates.A three-year agreement on the employment of older staff in France has also been signed which implements a number of measures aimed at supporting older employees and anticipating their career development. Specifically, it stipulates regular “career discussions” and easy access to professional training in all forms.Lastly, it offers measures for adapting work schedules towards the end of a career, in accordance with the employee’s wishes, in order to afford them the best possible transition into retirement.
Governing the mandatory collective bargaining on salaries :
  • Signing of a wage agreement that provides for :
- a set and long-term 1% increase in basic salaries,
- the payment of a € 1 000 work dividend per employee pending the approval of the Board of Directors.
  • Review of salaries to compensate for the loss of purchasing power between 1998 and 2008,
  • Signing of an agreement to reduce unwarranted discrepancies between the wages of men and women. A special budget of € 800 000 has been allocated for 2009. For 2010, a budget of € 1 000 000 has been set aside, representing a 25% increase on the previous year.
  • Review of the minimum wage scale by grade and seniority.
Social dialogue is part of the Group's commitment to negotiating and consulting with trade union organizations and staff-elected representatives, both at a national level and with local delegations. Outside France, where regulations differ, social dialogue has also led to the establishment of a number of employee agreements.
European Works Council :
Re-elected in June 2010 for a term of two years, i.e. until June 2012, the European Works Council is a forum for information, dialogue and exchange on economic, financial and social issues that are either of strategic importance or have cross-border implications. The 25 seats on the council are held by representatives from 19 different countries.
The Council covers 142 Group companies in France and 176 companies in the Europe, namely more than 99 620 employees in 27 countries.
Social climate surveys :
Gauging the needs and expectations of its employees and their perception of the progress made to date was what prompted Société Générale, for the first time in its history, to launch a global internal survey. 83 000 employees in 39 countries were asked to take part in an anonymous online questionnaire carried out by a well-known outside service provider to which more than 49 000 employees replied*.
* verified by Ernst & Young