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SPONSORED REPORT ■
Ensuring a
smooth transfer
Cathleen Doohan
The trickiest part of any managed services agreement is ensuring that employees
joining the firm feel valued and secure
TRANSFER of Undertakings (Protection of Employees) namely explaining to new employees what they bring
or TUPE legislation in Europe ensures that if an to Fujitsu in terms of skills and competencies; what’s
employee transfers from one company to another they expected of them in terms of objectives and learning
can be no worse off in terms of their overall terms and plans; and what career development options and
conditions of employment. While the legislation may opportunities are open to them.
protect their employment rights, there is a danger that “This opportunity to develop their career further,
their emotional and personal needs get neglected in while protected under the TUPE legislation and in
the maelstrom of activity that surrounds the transfer, an organisation where their skills are core to the busi-
with negative consequences both for the employee and ness, is a hidden opportunity in moving with the tech-
their new employer. nology. For Fujitsu’s part, it gives us access to the
To ensure the transfer happens as smoothly as pos- deep industry knowledge that these employees have
sible, Fujitsu has put together an advanced programme developed while working with their original company,”
of communication and consultation run by Cathleen notes Doohan.
Doohan, head of Human Resources, Fujitsu Ireland. Fujitsu clearly puts a lot of time and effort into its
“When a transfer is about to happen, it is a time communication programme, but Doohan believes its
of considerable uncertainty and concern for the efforts are repaid many times over. “It’s not just about
employee. So what we try to do is get in front of the meeting the legal requirements under TUPE legisla-
employee as quickly as possible, to make sure we’re tion, but recognising the benefit that these new
looking after them during these critical initial stages,” employees can bring to a business such as ours and also
she explains. what our company can give to them in the longer term.
The programme consists of a number of stages, Fujitsu’s CEO, Regina Moran, actually joined Fujitsu
beginning with a meet-and-greet event at which under TUPE legislation – an excellent example of how
transferring employees learn more about the company, valued these ‘recruits’ are.”
the TUPE legislation and exactly how the transfer will
work. This is followed by regular information sessions
to keep new employees informed as to how the trans-
fer process is progressing. Fujitsu HR personnel will
also meet transferees on a one-to-one basis to address
What is
any specific issues or concerns they may have. Once
the transfer is complete, Fujitsu will usually host a
welcome event at which transferees can meet their
TUPE?
new colleagues, including those who previously trans-
ferred into Fujitsu from other companies. Fujitsu will TUPE legislation was enacted over 25 years ago, in
also conduct a detailed survey with new staff members
1980, long before the outsourcing model became
to get their feedback, with the aim of further refining
mainstream but was completely refreshed in 2003
the transfer programme.
and further updated in 2006 to adapt it to changing
According to Doohan, Fujitsu and the client company
business and employment practices. The legisla-
work closely together right through the transfer
process to keep the lines of communication open. “A
tion safeguards employees existing terms and con-
positive consultation process, where there’s buy-in
ditions of work and their continuity of employment
from the original employer and the receiving employer,
should their company or part of their business be
is the foundation for effective communication. We see
legally transferred, merged or their area of activity
it as a joint venture. So the employees are constantly
be contracted out as part of a managed services
getting information from both parties.” contract. Currently, the major area of business that
But the programme serves another purpose, other is involved is IT support and systems.
than that of easing the transition for the employee,
September 2008 Knowledge Ireland 57
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