SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2014

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORT /

Nine priority issues

Cofinimmo has an influence on well-being, health and safety:

• Cofinimmo’s employees (114):

appropriate working conditions, fair treatment, prospects for the future, attention

to work-life balance, etc. These factors should ensure motivated staff, committed to carrying out the work

entrusted to them. The increase in workplace stress, which is affecting more and more people, may have severe

negative effect, causing some individuals to reach burn-out. This diagnosis leads to a long absence for the person

affected and reduces the employer’s human resources, a source of value-added for the company.

• Its buildings’ occupants

: construction choices as well as maintenance quality have an impact on occupants’

safety and well-being. The presence of hazardous uncontrolled materials, non-compliance with safety standards

and badly configured air-conditioning units can have consequences for occupants’ well-being.

• Suppliers

for whom Cofinimmo is responsible, sometimes directly but more often indirectly. Suppliers’ compliance

during negotiations and a focus on their employees’ safety are important elements. A commercial relationship can

only be maintained through the parties’ respect and understanding of their concerns and objectives.

Safety and well-being

Procedure aiming to establish a complete inventory of a company, a building or

a real estate portfolio (accounting, economic, legal and tax aspects) before a

financing or acquisition operation.

Responses / actions

Cofinimmo has set up a series of practices for its employees to

ensure their well-being and allow them to carry out their work under

the best conditions:

•

When they start work, new employees receive a welcome

pack setting out all the firm’s practical measures and safety

instructions.

•

Discussion forums also exist where they can share their ideas

and/or recommendations: monthly lunch meeting, working

group on improving internal communications, etc.

•

Team building sessions are organised as required to learn to

know ourselves better and, where relevant detect points for

improvement in the team dynamic.

•

Cofinimmo is also attentive to the potential for workplace

stress and burn-out. In 2014, all managers attended an

information seminar on this topic

For occupants of its buildings, Cofinimmo analyses all elements

likely to have an impact on public health:

•

The presence of asbestos, soil pollution, fire protection

measures, etc. are systematically analysed during the due

diligence process

•

In existing buildings: management of asbestos risk for the

oldest buildings, fire safety, access control system, use of the

least noxious and most environmentally-friendly products.

Cofinimmo includes provisions to ensure the well-being and safety

of its subcontractors:

•

In the context of major renovation works, Cofinimmo has

employees trained in safety coordination who draw up and

verify risks and prevention measures to apply, worksite

after worksite. It also calls on external safety coordinators

depending on the work load.

Jean-Philippe Herkens, Iris Cleaning, Business Unit Manager

Cofinimmo is in a position to encourage its subcontractors

to behave in a more socially responsible way through the

contracts it draws up.