This is an exciting time for the energy and essential services industry. Over the past few years, there has been tremendous progress made around the world in opening up electricity and gas markets to the benefits of increased competition. Direct Energy is at the leading edge, helping to open competitive markets in North America, so that the benefits of deregulation can be passed on to customers.
Listed below is a sampling of our commitment to our employees and what life at Direct Energy can mean for you.
Annual Employee Meeting
The Annual Employee Meeting is a forum for the leadership team to communicate with employees about business performance and future plans, while receiving direct feedback from employees through an informal question and answer session.
Career Progression and Internal Opportunities
We are a performance-driven company that strives to continuously recognize and promote from within. In fact, between 27% and 34% of our job placements are from existing employees. Employees can apply to positions after six months of being in their current position. Our culture truly fosters career progression, growth and personal development.
Communication Channels
- EMPLOYEE INTRANET: Employees access up-to-date information via the company’s intranet site, which was launched in September 2002. Through the intranet employees can read new announcements, look up a colleague’s phone number, download necessary forms or simply send in ideas and feedback.
- MEET WITH AN EXECUTIVE: Breakfasts and information roadshows are held regularly at all locations to provide a chance for employees to become acquainted with executives in a small group, learn about company direction and voice their questions or concerns directly.
- NEWS DIRECTS: These email messages keep employees informed, in a timely manner, about important events across the organization.
- NEWSLETTERS: Direct Energy’s corporate newsletter, DirectLink, is published six times per year. Individual business units also have the option of distributing their own newsletters with information pertinent to their groups.
Corporate Philanthropy Program
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direct in the community is Direct Energy's corporate philanthropy program that combines charitable giving with activities designed to foster and encourage our employees to volunteer in their communities and support causes they value. direct in the community continues our tradition of generous giving by employees and our company, through participation in the social and economic fabric of the communities in which we work, live and play. direct in the community's vision is to play a leadership role in fostering, supporting and encouraging national and local charitable initiatives that provide services related to safe and affordable housing, especially for adults, families, the elderly and the disabled.
Discounts
Direct Energy employees can take advantage of special offers on energy and services, as well as other special offers for friends and family.
Employee Assistance Program
The company is committed to providing employees with access to support that will help to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is an external counseling and referral service for employees and their dependents that is completely voluntary, confidential and anonymous. Through the EAP, Direct Energy covers the cost of any short-term counseling that might be required by an employee or their dependent.
Employee Benefits
Employees are entitled to a generous employee benefits package, which includes extended health (with a drug card), dental and vision coverage for employees and their dependents. Our benefits also include life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability and a pension plan. In addition, employees are also eligible for an annual incentive bonus plan.
Employee Emergency Hotline
In the event of an emergency such as extreme weather, interruption to building services or power outage, employees have a toll free number they can call for instructions on work arrangements. A recorded message provides details about office closures and/or alternative work sites. This is part of our Business Continuity plan.
Employee Engagement Survey
Direct Energy cares about what employees think and listens to what they have to say. Every year, an outside consultant surveys employees confidentially to measure employee engagement levels, as well as setting a benchmark for the company's performance. The results of the survey are tabulated by the consulting firm, and are then shared across the organization. Feedback from this survey drives our organizational improvement, planning and growth initiatives. In addition, management's bonuses are closely tied to both Employee Satisfaction and Customer Satisfaction results.
Health, Safety and Environment
Our Health, Safety and Environment initiative is designed to provide employees with a safe and healthy work environment. Useful workshops and information sessions are conducted periodically to help employees understand what they can do to be safe and healthy at work and at home. In addition, this initiative is designed to ensure compliance with North American health and safety legislation as well as providing a voice for our environmental activities.
Learning and Development
We have a dedicated cross section of employees who are part of the Human Performance Council. It is this council's mission to raise the level of human performance at Direct Energy by ensuring that the acquisition/application of knowledge and skills is of the highest quality. This will permit employees to meet desired standards, thereby enhancing greater individual/organizational performance outputs. Our vision is to build a new culture of learning, which will strengthen strategic competitiveness and personal success, encourage creativity and innovation, and help build a cohesive organization. The principles, which underpin our vision, are those that truly enhance personal development in every business across Direct Energy.
Orientation
The Corporate Orientation is a quarterly forum where new employees are formally welcomed to the organization. Employees are introduced to our senior management team who will share our Company history, facts, structure, financials as well as key strategies, goals and developments. This is also the perfect opportunity to network with new colleagues.
Performance Management
The success of our business depends on our employees – their capabilities, skills and loyalty. Direct Energy is committed to helping individuals develop to become more effective, recognize their potential and maximize their contribution to our company. Our approach is to encourage our people to take responsibility for their own learning and development and, as such, take an active part in performance discussions and informal reviews.
Platinum Awards — Recognizing the Best of the Best
While our business is transforming rapidly, our vision remains clear and we have extraordinary people achieving great things. Direct Energy established the Platinum Awards in 2002 as a means to recognize and reward individuals and teams who have made outstanding contributions to our success. This program has been designed to encourage employees to be their best by achieving their business objectives while demonstrating our company's values.
Succession Planning
Our succession management plan consists of identifying employees who have the potential to assume key positions in the organization and preparing them for these positions. Developing the next generation of leaders is critical to our success as an organization.
