BIC - 2018 Registration document

OUR ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND SOCIETAL RESPONSIBILITY

Our social responsibility to our employees [NFPS]

As part of the operation to transfer BIC Sports activities, BIC Group committed to communicating with all stakeholders in a consistent, transparent manner and in accordance with applicable regulations. Multiple communication formats were created and delivered throughout the BIC Graphic locations in question to keep employees regularly up to date on the process. All employees of BIC Sports were rehired by the new owner under the same contractual conditions (salaries and benefits).

2018 saw an overall engagement index increase of +1.5 compared with 2016 (84.3% vs. 83%). The addition of India accounted for the positive swing. The manager index saw a significant increase in 2018 compared with 2016 (77.6 vs. 72.2). In 2018, BIC’s strengths focused on Pride in Company, Engagement and, once again, BIC Values. 87.9% of team members are “proud to be associated with BIC.” This is reflected in the favorable responses around the Group’s core values of Responsibility and Ethics. BIC also saw areas of opportunity, particularly in Growth and Development, Recognition and Reward, and Resources and Support. In addition, there was opportunity identified with clarity of direction for the Company, which scored under 50%. For the first time, BIC included an item targeting Diversity and Inclusion: “BIC promotes an inclusive culture where people of diverse backgrounds feel welcome.” Overall, team members responded very favorably at 82.4%. The engagement of its team members is a key asset that BIC seeks to maintain. To that end, the Group’s managers continue to use specially developed tools and coaching to help them define local action plans in response to the survey results. These action plans are defined by each entity, based on its results. Training plans for high-potential employees have been bolstered and possibilities for offering non-financial recognition are being studied. BIC University is being refreshed for a global relaunch in January 2019 (see page 103). Perspectives ❯ BIC will continue its program of in-house surveys, with the goal of being attentive to its employees and implementing plans for improvement. For example, North America conducted three separate “spot” surveys of its team members throughout 2018 in response to a change of leadership. Challenges, risks and opportunities ❯ The BIC Group has identified the “health/safety in the workplace” risk as one of the major CSR risks  (1) resulting from its operations. Safety in the workplace is a fundamental priority for BIC Group. BIC’s operations, both industrial and commercial, expose its workers to various professional risks (mechanical, chemical, psychosocial, biological, ergonomic) that differ from function to function (headquarters, factories, sales force). For the Group, workplace safety means ensuring its employees’ physical and mental well-being by preventing accidents and occupational diseases. The Group deploys all useful means: health and safety management, ongoing improvement of working environments and the organization of working hours, and actions to raise employees’ awareness of safety issues. HEALTH/SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE 3.4.3.

3.4.2.

SHARING OUR VALUES, LISTENING TO OUR EMPLOYEES

Challenges ❯ The Group’s philosophy “Honor the past, Invent the future” symbolizes for BIC a respect for its heritage, which is one of the keys to its success, as well as the way in which its employees build the future of the Group together. BIC’s heritage encompasses many aspects: an entrepreneurial spirit, products that have become icons within their markets, irreproachable quality, attention to detail, and the commitment of the employees who have built the BIC ® brand. This philosophy constitutes a central element of BIC’s culture and arises from the following five shared Values: Ethics, Responsibility, Teamwork, Simplicity and Ingenuity. BIC values the opinions of all its employees and regularly seeks their views on the Group, their work environment and their perception of the Group’s programs. Approach ❯ Since 2005, surveys on engagement and adherence to values have been used to measure the difference between the values as they are defined in the communication tools and as they are truly experienced by employees in the workplace, as well as the employees’ engagement and related factors like working conditions, individual recognition, independence, career opportunities and management effectiveness. Accompanying this survey, the “Values in Action Awards” are conferred on team members, nominated by their co-workers, who embody and excel in certain BIC values in the workplace. To date, over 1,400 team members have been recognized within this program, which started in 2006. Performance and progress made in 2018 ❯ The Engagement and Adherence to Values Survey Once again, BIC conducted its Engagement and Adherence to Values Survey in 2018. All factories within the Group were represented, along with 2,000 team members from India. This year the survey covered 11,053 team members (permanent and temporary employees under contract). Participation increased from 84% in 2016 to 93% in 2018, a rise of 9 points, with 10,255 team members responding. This year over 83% of the participants responded online.

The main CSR risks related to the activities and use of BIC Group’s goods and services are presented in the chapter “Risks” on pages 44 to 48. (1)

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• BIC GROUP - 2018 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT •