Carried out in March amongst a representative sample of over 5,000 of the Bank’s staff, the second edition of the Societe Generale Internal Barometer, which surveys relations between employees and people with disabilities, has just released its findings.

Two years after the first survey, we observed a fall in the percentage of people who took part (approximately 30%, versus almost 40% in 2008). We attribute this decrease, which moves us closer to the national average for similar surveys, to increased maturity regarding the topic of disability. But more maturity means increased demands regarding expectations, and therefore the responses to provide.*

The Barometer tells us that the action implemented by Societe Generale is now better known, with 38% of positives answers (10% more than in 2008).

Another observation is that the action carried out by Mission Handicap has been taken into account and welcomed by HR, management and staff. And the Company’s fight against preconceived ideas has been a success, even though further efforts are required in terms of awareness. A success? Yes, because, compared to 2008, those surveyed said they were now more ready to integrate disabled people, and want to help this be achieved (72% in 2010 versus 62% in 2008). However, they also made it known, through the numerous quotes and comments we received, that they are still lacking the tools to do this under the right conditions (support, HR guides, etc.) Changing people’s behaviour and attitudes must therefore be a priority, and we are already working on this, notably through a comic strip that will be published in September. This publication, created with the help of ten well-established or promising young cartoonists (Margerin, James, Vuillemin, Mandell, etc.), reveals their view, often humorous and irreverent, but also serious, of the relationship between disabled and able-bodied staff within the Company.

We are also counting on the setting up of one-on-one meetings to define, with members of staff, the true nature of the requirements expressed, but this time in a more qualitative way. We are, however, aware that there is no magic formula for success, and that no support can replace each person’s determination and commitment. The context has changed over the last two years, and Mission Handicap, founded in 2007, is now an integral part of the Societe Generale landscape and no longer generates the enthusiastic curiosity it did at first.

Relayed by the media, disability has acquired visibility. It is now recognised as a major issue in our society. We have therefore reached a pivotal period to take this further. If people’s relationship with disability has evolved within the Company, it now has to be embodied.

This represents a new challenge that Mission Handicap has pledged to take up with just as much enthusiasm, in the coming months, so that Societe Generale can be even more deserving of its status as a disability-friendly company.

*The structure of this Barometer is based on an IPSOS/Togeth’Art national survey, published in May 2008, along with specific questions proper to Societe Generale, notably regarding the assessment of the action implemented by the Group in terms of awareness.