EM - April/May 2012 - (Page 9)

April/May 2012 www.esb.ie/em News 9 International award for ESb pension group Marking international women’s day PiCtUreD ABoVe is ChieF executive, Pat o’Doherty, congratulating Kieran english, Chairman on the esB Defined Contribution (DC) trustees, following the announcement that the esB DC Pension scheme had won for a second year in a row the international Pension europe (iPe) award for best Pension scheme in ireland 2011. Commenting on the award marie Collins, group Pensions manager, also pictured above with Paul Duignan, Pension services manager said that the award recognises the commitment to communication and engagement with members by the trustees, as evidenced by th introduction in 2011 of a new design of personalised benefit statements and member presentations. the esB Defined Contribution scheme has membership of 1,100 and is one of the largest DC schemes in ireland. n Brid Horan, executive Director services & electric Ireland, brought the event to a close. Bernie O’Connor, equality & Diversity Office, Paula King, Guest speaker and Joyce Farrell, Manager equality & Diversity. 15 yEar agrEEmENt wIth gaElEctrIc the eQUALity & DiVersity office hosted a Lunch and Learn seminar titled ‘Women Leading from Within – Developing Psychological resilience’ to mark international Women’s Day on Wednesday 8th march, 2012. Joyce Farrell, manager, equality and Diversity opened the event. Joyce spoke about the benefits of taking the time to come together for learning, networking and supporting each other. the equality & Diversity office have developed a Women’s Learning and networking Programme with the purpose of promoting and cultivating the Pictured at the signing are (seated): Brendan McGrath CeO Gaelectric and Liam Molloy, Manager electric Ireland. Back row (l-r): David Finn, esBIG; Matthew Reast, Gaelectric; Peter Murphy, Trading & Commercial Manager esBIG and Barry Gavin, CFO Gaelectric. esB has won a £50 million 15 year power purchase agreement with gaelectric Limited for the output of Carn hill, a 13.8mW wind farm in Construction in northern ireland which is expected to be commissioned at the end of 2012. the Carnhill Wind Farm is the first of four PPA’s esB expects to sign with gaelectric totalling 85 mW. n growth, engagement and advancement of women in the organisation and welcomes the opportunity to run this programme across the various business units. Paula King, Kingstown College, facilitated the seminar which was attended by over 60 women from across the organisation. the interactive session gave participants the opportunity to discuss their definition of resilience and explore some tools/techniques to assist in the development of inner resilience. Paula King looked at some of the amazing women globally who display resilience every day and act as role models for women throughout the world. Brid horan, executive Director, esB services and electric ireland closed the event and was delighted to see so many took the time out of their busy schedules to attend the seminar. Brid spoke of the connection between esB policies and the initiatives, supports and services provided for staff in esB through the equality & Diversity office, esB health services and eAP service. Brid shared some of her own interesting experiences throughout her working life and reflected on the positive improvements that have been implemented whether by way of changes as a result of legislation or changes in the culture and attitudes to women in the education and the workplace. Details of Paula King’s presentation and her seven top ten tips towards developing Psychological resilience are now available on the equality & Diversity site – http://esbnet/hr/ equalopportunities/Women/Default. htm?Presentations.htm. the presentation from a previous Learning and networking event in esB services and electric ireland is also available titled: the Psychology of Behaviour and Communication - in a World of Change. Feedback from the event was extremely positive with some great suggestions for future events. n If you are interested in learning more about the Women’s Learning and Networking Programme, please email Equality&Diversity@ esb.ie or contact Joyce Farrell 01 -7027534 or Bernie O’Connor 01 – 7027239 A group discussion took place during the event. mENtal hEalth aND StrESS SEmINar the esBoA equality Committee and esB hosted a seminar on ‘mental health and stress’ on Wednesday 7th march, 2012. the seminar was attended by 65 esBoA members from across the various business lines in esB. the seminar was officially opened by Pat o’Doherty, esB Chief executive, who welcomed the opportunity to address the group. “employers have a key role to play in promoting positive mental health, through education, leadership and intervention,” he said. “it is a critical area for attention – mental health issues are ireland’s fastest growing category of workplace disability and one in four people will experience some form of mental illness at some stage during their life.” Pat went on to say that “in esB we understand the role that the working environment can have on a person’s overall mental health – both in terms of having a positive impact on their quality of life and on that of their wider family and community and, from a company perspective, allowing us to identify and address any emerging issues at an early stage – so that our staff can realise their full potential”. the Chief executive welcomed minister Lynch and thanked her for taking the time to attend the seminar as esB and esBoA review our own work in support of esB staff throughout our organisation. this initiative was launched by Kathleen Lynch t.D., minister of state, Department of health and Department of Justice, equality and Defence with responsibility for Disability, older People, equality and mental health. minister Lynch paid compliments to both esB and the esBoA for taking the initiative to address the issue of mental health and stress and said that such initiatives help remove the stigma that is attached to the area of mental health. she reminded those in attendance that there are times that for some individuals “the conversation can be the cure” and what is often required is a listening ear. the seminar provided an opportunity to hear from the following speakers on their experiences in this area as well as engaging in discussion that will help guide policy and practice across the organisation. it was also an opportunity to remind ourselves of the supports and services that are already in place in esB. the external guest speakers of the event were: Loren Duffy, BA, m.sc (Psych) who spoke about resilience – Coping skills. Loren featured in an interview in the Dec/Jan issue of em - making sense of a Changing World Agnes Roland: expert by experience, AWAre - spoke about her personal experience and overcoming mental illness Patricia Murray: Psychologist, health & safety Authority (hsA). other outstanding presentations were also presented by; Joyce Farrell, manager, equality and Diversity esB on initiatives and supports both from esB and esBoA equality Committee. John voiced his support of staff through similar initiatives and welcomed feedback from the seminar. some excellent information was received by attendees on the day and the feedback has been extremely positive. Attendees also took Pictured (l-r): Ann Lynch, equality Officer, esB Group of Unions, Pat O’Doherty, esB Chief executive, Minister of state, Kathleen part in an exercise to Lynch T.D and Joyce Farrell, Manager equality & Diversity esB. help ensure that each individual commits to putting some of the available through the e&D office learning into practice over the next Mary Mangan, eAP officer on eAP three months. n service Sandra Ryan, esB health services – on the services available for employee health and wellbeing. sandra also introduced Loren Duffy, the suite of health & Wellbeing book- Director of lets produced by esB health services. Leadership and John Campion, executive Direc- Transformation at Advanced tor, sustainability and hr officially Organisation closed the event and complimented all addressing the involved in coordinating the seminar conference. http://www.esb.ie/em http://esbnet/hr/EqualOpportunities/Women/Default.htm?Presentations.htm http://esbnet/hr/EqualOpportunities/Women/Default.htm?Presentations.htm http://esbnet/hr/EqualOpportunities/Women/Default.htm?Presentations.htm

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of EM - April/May 2012

EM - April/May 2012
Contents
News
Services & Electric Ireland
ESB Networks Ltd
ESB Energy International
Health & Habitat
Life

EM - April/May 2012