Corporate Citizenship(i) Supporting Social Services
To enhance and promote the responsibilities of corporate citizenship, we encourage and support the organisation of social and charity activities for the community. The Land Registry Volunteer Team has joined hands with some ten other Government departments to run a “Crossover Volunteer Project” programme. During 2008/09, the Land Registry Volunteer Team organised 13 volunteer activities and participated in four volunteer activities coordinated by other departments under the programme for environmental protection, sick children, the disabled, the elderly and the youth. In recognition of our contribution, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service awarded the “Caring Organisation” certificate to the Land Registry in February 2009.
(ii) Encouraging Donations
We are supportive of donation drives organised by the charities by encouraging staff to donate or participate in their events.
- Community Chest: we encouraged colleagues to contribute in various activities organised by the Community Chest in 2008, including the “Walks for Millions”, “Dress Special Day”, “Employee Contribution Programme”, “Green Day” and “Love Teeth Day”.
- Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon: we have participated in the event since 2002. This year, 15 staff members participated in the race on 8 February 2009 and raised an encouraging sum for charity.
(iii) Equal Opportunities
As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we are committed to eliminating discrimination in employment. We employ staff with different degrees of disability. In addition, we also participate in Social Welfare Department’s Sunnyway Programme and Labour Department’s Youth Pre-employment Training - Workplace Attachment Programme to offer training placements for people in need.
(iv) Promoting Care for Employees
A total number of 31 seminars on occupational safety and health related issues, such as first aid training, health hints on the use of display screen, how to handle potentially violent clients, occupational health for office workers, prevention of musculoskeletal disorders and stress management, etc. were arranged for staff in 2008/09.
(v) Job Shadowing
In support of nurturing our younger generation, we have partnered with Junior Achievement Hong Kong to organise the Job Shadow Day for students for the third year. By joining the job shadowing programme, we hold the mission to help develop youth, enable them to take an up-close look at the world of work, learn from the experienced workplace mentors, discover their potentials and develop their career aspirations.
The Job Shadow Day was conducted on 18 February 2009 for 20 sixth form students from St. Rose of Lima’s College and St. Paul’s College. One mentor was assigned to every two students to guide them through the work in a normal working day. The day commenced with an opening remark by the Land Registrar. Through the job shadowing programme, students were able to build up their confidence through completing simple tasks assigned to them by the mentors. Both mentors and students benefited from the programme and enjoyed the event.
(vi) Green Management and Environmental Improvement
We are committed to ensuring that the Land Registry’s business and daily operations are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner. To fulfil our commitment we have drawn up an environmental policy to establish the overall direction for the Land Registry and set out the key areas for action. We adopt good environmental practices in reducing the consumption of paper and energy, reusing office materials and replacing office consumables with environmentally friendly products.
The Registry Manager is the Green Manager of the department, responsible for monitoring the Land Registry’s environmental performance. A Green Housekeeping Working Group, led by the Departmental Secretary and with divisional representatives as members, assists the Green Manager to implement green initiatives particularly in the following aspects:
- Energy Management
- Material and Waste Management
- Noise Level Control
- Air Quality Management
- Environmental Hazard Management
- Staff Awareness of Environmental Protection
The Working Group plans and organises environmental audit inspections to various offices of the department. In 2008, two inspections covering four offices were conducted. By conducting environmental audits, the green practices at operational level are reviewed and recommendations are made for continual improvement.
With the completion of installation of separate electricity meters for the user departments in Queensway Government Offices including our offices in late 2007, we have facility to assist us to directly monitor our electricity consumption and benchmark improvements.
The Controlling Officer’s Environmental Report 2008 with detailed environmental performance is available from the Land Registry’s website (www.landreg.gov.hk).