187 Life Is On | Schneider Electric www.se.com Chapter 2 – Sustainable development Strategic Report 2. 2.5.5.8 Social dialog in China Schneider Electric China has over 30 legal entities and more than 100 sites. In 2021, the Company fostered active social dialog with joint Group efforts. The HR department, in partnership with unions, facilitate active dialog with employee representatives on topics that cover employee lifecycle: • Mobile-enabled learning is extended to both office and plant workers, while virtual and on-site blended training with action learning is deployed in all talent programs ensuring generation and gender diversities. Employee average learning time has reached 18 hours. • Leadership management continuously listens to employees with open communication, reflection, and action plans. Well-being bi-monthly live talks have attracted over 3,000 participants; topics cover mental health, stress management, parenting, etc. • Sustainability practices are promoted through various events, for instance, Zero Carbon Run to increase carbon neutral knowledge and corporate commitments awareness. 2.5.5.9 Social dialog in India Schneider Electric India has a strong culture of social dialog with all employees, unionized and non-unionized. In 2021, Schneider Electric India maintained engaging in equitable industrial relations across its plants and associated establishments. Industrial harmony has been achieved through a time-tested collective bargaining process involving unions or through worker representative committees. In some of the plants where there are no recognized unions, this bargaining process is conducted with elected employees on committees such as Welfare (Works Committee). There is also strong engagement with other committees like Health & Safety, Canteen, Sports, and Transport, including a special committee for women employees and a prevention of sexual harassment committee (fully compliant with the prevention of sexual harassment governance as per local laws), duly represented by employees and external women with specialist knowledge of the subject and with legal backgrounds. These committees provide a platform for employees to represent their concerns, collective grievances, and workplace-related issues to the management. All employee engagement programs are run through these committees with the active participation of every employee. The process of social dialog also includes monthly employee communication at plants level, as well as through Quarterly Town Hall communication on Company performance, strategy, and challenges. Special sessions were organized for employees’ family members on the world standard safety procedures at the workplace which boosted confidence and encouraged employees to return to work. To drive positive mental well-being, the Company leveraged the existing Employee Assistant Program (Saathi) for employees and family members, which became a huge support system. Experienced doctors and specialists facilitated COVID-19 safety and mental health sessions. Employees regularly connected with counsellors, read articles on relevant health topics, and attended webinars to augment their health preparedness. Employees were regularly involved in social and environmental protection initiatives through large scale tree plantation drives across the factory and at nearby locations. Campaigns on virtual engagement and collaboration, and leaders connecting in formal and informal settings, further ensured that a physical and psychologically safe environment for employees was created. 2.5.5.10 Social dialog in Turkey In 2021 the Company saw great benefits from the policies that were deployed in 2020. All COVID-19 actions continued to be followed systematically and more digitally by Health Safety & Environment and HR, and updated information was regularly shared with all employees. This year, Schneider Electric successfully renewed the union agreement which covers nearly 650 employees without any dispute. With this agreement, the private health insurance scope has been extended, and not only the employees but also the families have been taken under the coverage. Digital learning, which has been a priority for many years, was further encouraged during this time. The Digital Learning Corner project has been completed so all shop-floor employees can access digital learning, with a wide range of topics available from Schneider Essentials learning offer to digital technology trends, Lean Digitization Systems, and more. 2020 also, unfortunately, saw a serious forest fire in much of Turkey, especially the Aegean region. Schneider Electric and employees came together and provided support to the region. In 2021, Schneider Electric supported the project, which was initiated under the leadership of Bogaziçi University Climate Center and United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Networks – SDNS Turkey, for the training of teachers within the scope of Turkey’s Climate Mobilization. Within the scope of the “Climate 2030: Special Education for Educators on Climate Change” project, it is aimed to inform about the basic concepts of climate change, its physical foundations, the reduction and adaptation dimension of climate change, its international processes, and sustainable climate actions. Istanbul innovation hub started to co-operate with selected universities in Turkey, giving young people the opportunity to see the digital solutions in energy management and the latest technologies applied by the Company, to expand their vision.