Sustainable development report 2017

The

ErgoTool

is part of a sustainable vision of well-being at work. It is completed with advice to enable employees to set up ergonomically their computer workstation, to avoid health

problems and stay fit and healthy.

ErgoTool

consists of two parts:

e-learning training and a self-assessment about on screen working.

OUR 2017 ACHIEVEMENTS

We also started Pilates gymnastics classes

in 2017, which are very popular with

our employees. 20 people attended 30

sessions during their lunch time.

We raise our employees’ awareness

about eating healthy food by providing

fruit baskets twice a week and soup in

wintertime.

THE OCCUPANTS OF OUR

BUILDINGS

The construction choices and the

maintenance quality have an impact on

the safety and well-being of occupants.

Uncontrolled hazardous materials, non-

compliance with safety standards, and

improperly adjusted air conditioning

equipment can have an impact on the

occupants’ well-being and health.

We analyse all elements which are 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.

The asbestos risk is monitored closely in

the older buildings of the portfolio. Any

asbestos found in buildings is encased.

In the event of deterioration, these

materials are removed following the

legal prescriptions ensuring the safety of

people.

In 2017, our Environmental Manager

organised four round tables with

52 participants to improve the

understanding of the real estate

legislation applicable in Belgium and the

adjacent countries where we are present.

The presence of relaxation opportunities

and taking care of oneself on the spot

has really become an important criteria

in the choice of a building. Yoga, bums

& tums and relaxation sessions are held

in our Lounges

, in collaboration with

the company Easy Day, occasionally

followed by a drink or a healthy lunch full

of vitamins. The task of the Community

Manager, responsible for the Lounges

, is

to promote actions with a positive impact

on the well-being of the occupants of our

office buildings.

OUR SUBCONTRACTORS

Fairness to our suppliers during purchase

negotiations and concern for the

safety of their staff are important to us.

Commercial relationships can only be

maintained through the mutual respect

of the parties and understanding of their

respective concerns and objectives. The

outsourcing of building and maintenance

activities are coupled with a strict

monitoring of these subcontracting works.

Some employees have been trained

in safety coordination for large-scale

refurbishment works. They identify and

implement risks and prevention measures

for each work site. We also call on external

safety coordinators depending on the

workload. Within the framework of calls

for tenders, we clearly describe everyone’s

responsibilities in the requirement

specifications and contracts.

Regarding our portfolio maintenance, we

equip our buildings with security systems

in order to guarantee our suppliers’

physical safety (access platforms and

anchor points for window-cleaning teams,

for example). Subcontractors’ services are

covered by framework contracts to ensure

a mutually beneficial partnership.

OUR EMPLOYEES

We have always implemented a series of

practices to promote the well-being of

our employees and the execution of their

job under the best conditions. Employees

receive, as soon as they take up their

position, a welcome package describing

all of the practical and safety aspects of

the workplace. In 2017, 15 new employees

were individually welcomed by the Human

Resources manager and the CEO.

There are also discussion forums where

employees can share their ideas and/

or concerns: monthly lunch meetings,

breakfasts with management, working

groups on improving internal and inter-

departmental communications and

workshops on psycho-social risks.

Team building sessions are organised if

needed, to enable department members

to get to know each other better and,

where relevant, identify improvements

in the team dynamics. In 2017, four

team building sessions were held with

36 participants.

We also pay attention to mental well-being

and stress at work. Increased stress at work,

very frequent in the business world, can

have sad consequences and might lead

to burn-out in some people. This type of

affliction leads to the prolonged absence

of the affected person and a disruption

and additional costs for the employer. We

raise manager awareness about this topic

on a regular basis (one training session

with 17 participants in 2017).

We carried out a global survey on

ergonomics with our employees in 2017.

The ErgoTool

questionnaire replies

provided feedback on the potential issues

caused by a sedentary profession. All

screen users were also informed of the

danger of prolonged sitting periods.