Human Resources Policy
The pillar of Garanti BBVA’s approach to human resources is investing in human capital. Recognizing that human capital is the driving force behind all progress, the Bank builds systems to recruit, train and develop young and innovative individuals on a continuous basis, to provide a working environment that encourages full utilization of employees’ skills, offers a wide range of opportunities and ensures recognition and awarding of their accomplishments.
The human resources policy of Garanti BBVA can be summarized as giving priority and importance to the human, ensuring continuous investment, deploying sufficient resources for training, giving priority to promoting from within, implementing programs for this purpose, developing human resources systems, maximizing participation by leading an environment of open communication, displaying a fair and objective attitude, and developing practices at international standards. In this frame, the mission of the Human Resources Department is to play a strategic role by implementing efficient HR policies to assist the organization in achieving its business objectives.
Accordingly, the Department operates in accordance with Garanti BBVA’s ethical values and with the equality principle” (the Bank and our employees observe fair treatment in business relations regardless of language, race, gender, political ideology, philosophical belief, religion, sect and the like, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, disabilities, age, medical conditions, and union membership. The Bank and our employees respect human rights.) The Department is aware of Garanti BBVA's business goals, and closely cooperates with business lines and those in the field. In addition, the Department employs various objective, competency-based measurement and evaluation tools and methods specific to each position in order to match the right person with the right job. The Department develops human resources applications in accordance with the Bank’s strategies, makes efforts to improve employee motivation, creates open communication forums that allow employees to express themselves freely, provides “career consulting” for employees in line with their competencies, knowledge, skills, needs and expectations, and ensures that employees receive proper training for personal development.
Standard criteria (experience, seniority, performance, competency evaluation, tests, interview, etc.) are established for all internal promotions and transfers between positions. They are transparently announced throughout the Bank via career maps, while employees are guided and supported in line with their chosen career path.
The compensation system of the Bank is built on job-based remuneration; employees who are employed in similar jobs receive similar compensation. Jobs are evaluated according to objective criteria such as required competency, the risk involved and the number of employees supervised. The Bank’s compensation policy established within this framework has been approved by the Board of Directors and has been presented for the information of shareholders at the Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting held in 2013 pursuant to the CMB Communiqué Serial: IV-56 on the Determination and Implementation of Corporate Governance Principles, which was in force in 2013. On the other hand, the compensation policy has been revised by the Board of Directors’ resolution dated December 7, 2017 both in accordance with the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency Guideline on Good Compensation in Banks and the amendments to the salary adjustment schedule and variable payments applications. Presently, the policy is available to the public on the Bank’s website pursuant to corporate governance principles.
The performance evaluation system at Garanti BBVA measures employee performance depending on objectives and the extent of their attainment. Systematic bonus and performance models are major and effective management tools for achieving cost management and efficiency, while ensuring fairness among the employees. In this context, besides the figures targeted by the Bank, criteria such as customer satisfaction, service quality and efficient management of human resources are among the basic factors affecting the performance-based remuneration. Garanti BBVA monitors the competitiveness of its salaries through annual survey of salary levels in the sector. Job descriptions, performance criteria and bonus system criteria of all positions in the Bank are announced transparently to all employees via the Intranet.
The portion of 13.03% of the total personnel expenses figure for the benefits provided in 2017 to the Bank’s employees including the Board members and senior management in the financial statements results from the performance-based bonuses of all employees and variable salary payments.
In relation to its Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) efforts, Garanti BBVA repositioned its OHS team set up under the Human Resources Department in 2013 as the OHS Section in 2015. The related activities are carried out across the country with a team of 41 people covering Occupational Safety Experts, On-Site Physicians and On-Site Nurses. Authoring a first among financial service institutions of a similar size in Turkey, Garanti BBVA launched the OHS software in all of its locations. The Bank uses the platform to keep track of various activities including risk assessment, health monitoring, training programs, OHS Committees, near misses, work place accidents, review of occupational illness processes, and coordination and control of countermeasures. Going well beyond the requirements brought by the national legislation in its Occupational Health and Safety practices and activities, Garanti BBVA initiated work in relation to OHSAS 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System that will replace OHSAS 18001, and these efforts are intended to enhance employee and stakeholder satisfaction and well-being. Any developments or decisions concerning the employees are conveyed either to the concerned employee via private communication tools or to all employees via the Intranet.