YourProgrammeCARE

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WELCOME TOYOUR CARE PROGRAMME

Blakemore Retail recognises that our success isdependent on the motivation and commitment of ourpeople.

With this in mind, we have established Your CareProgramme to acknowledge and reward your success,and thank you for your contribution to our business.

From staff discounts to long service awards, socialevents and more, our employee benefits programmeaims to provide something for everyone.

Whilst many of our employee benefits rewardcommitment in the workplace, Your Care Programmealso encourages you to look further afield and make adifference to your local community.

This is all part of Blakemore Retail’s ongoingcommitment to supporting good causes as outlined inA.F. Blakemore’s values statement The Blakemore Way.

We hope that, alongside our distinct culture dedicatedto positive relations with our colleagues, theestablishment of Your Care Programme will help uswork towards A.F. Blakemore’s purpose of growing afamily business in ways that are profitable andsustainable for the benefit of staff, customers and thecommunity.

Regards, Geoff HallamManaging Director

YOUR STAFF DISCOUNT3

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All colleagues are eligible for *10% off personal shopping(NB 5% off alcohol)

Just select your shopping, have it scanned through the till & the operator will callfor a member of management who will authorise your discount.

FAQ’s

Who is eligible for Staff Discount?All Blakemore Retail & AFB colleagues, including News Delivery Staff, Field Staff & AF Blakemoredelivery drivers.

Can I use my discount to shop for other people?No. Staff discount is a benefit extended to employees only. Purchases may only be made by you, foryou & your own household.

Can I get my discount at another store?Yes. You can obtain discount at any participating store, however if you are not known at the store youmust produce ID in the form of a recent company payslip (not more than 4 weeks old) OR a companyissued ID card. These are the only two forms of ID that will be accepted to obtain discount. If you donot have a recent payslip or company ID card your request for staff discount will be refused.

Is there a minimum spend?No

Can I use my discount at any time?Yes (NB Staff purchase rules still apply)

I’m the Store Manager – How can I monitor the amount of discount that is being given?Managers (or Area Managers) can access this information at any time by using the electronic audit. The information can be found in ‘tender type’ of the staff discount section.

*not applicable to cigarettes & tobacco products, services, fuel, postage stamps, video hire & sale, deals (multibuys) & priceover-ridden goods.

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YOUR STAFF LOTTERY

£1,000 £500 £250

Good luck!

Ok we can’t make you a millionaire but you can be in with a chance ofwinning up to £1,000 four times a year and if you don’t win the top

prize there are many more opportunities to win!

The Staff Lottery is drawn 4 times a year (March, June, September, December)Each draw has the following prizes:

Interested?

You’ll find the Staff Lottery Application form in the ‘Your Care Programme’ folder onsharepoint. Send your completed application form to Gemma Minshell-Sutton,

Blakemore Retail, Long Acres Ind Est, Rosehill, Willenhall, West Midlands. WV13 2JP

You can have up to 10 numbers per week. Each number is 10p EG 10 numbers = £1(Your numbers will be allocated to you by head office)

Monies will automatically be deducted from your wages/salary.

Good luck!

£100£505 prizes of 5 prizes of

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YOUR STAFF SOCIAL FUND

Did you know that 50% of the Staff Lottery Receipts are put into the Staff Social Fund?

Did you also know that you can apply for a contribution towards a staff social event? INTERESTED? - Read on!

Rules of application1. The event must aim to involve as many staff as possible2. The event must have a nominated organiser. This person shall be responsible for

organising the event and monies donated from the fund3. An invitation to the event must be extended to every employee at the store/s,

offices/s or team/s involved4. Applications must be made on the official SSF application form5. The SSF will contribute to the cost of the event (but will not meet the full costs)

For an Application Form go to ‘Your Care Programme’ folder in Share-Point

YOUR LONG SERVICE AWARDSWe at Blakemore Retail are very proud of our long serving members of staff.

When you reach the following service milestones an award will be made to you inrecognition of your contribution to the company, and the loyal service given.

When you achieve 25 years service we’d like to recognise this with an extra specialaward: In addition to the cash amount, an extra 4 weeks paid leave will be given as wellas your normal holiday entitlement for one year in recognition of 25 years service…awell deserved break which will allow you to take time out to do the things you havealways dreamed of.

A GIFT FOR YOU WHEN YOU RETIRE AS A THANK YOU

One of the biggest events in your life is the time when you decide to retire. We would like to mark this event by way of a gift from the company based on your year’s service with us. The value of your gift is calculated as follows:

AMOUNT YEARS SERVICE

£10 per year First 10 years service

£20 per year Final service between 10 & 20 years

£30 per year For all service over 20 years

SERVICE IF YOU WORK 30 IF YOU WORK LESSYEARS HOURS OR MORE THAN 30 HOURS

3 £50 £255 £100 £5010 £150 £7515 £250 £12520 £400 £20025 £500 PLUS 4 WEEKS SABATICAL LEAVE £250 PLUS 4 WEEKS SABATICAL LEAVE

30 £600 £30035 £700 £35040 £800 £40045 £900 £45050 £1000 £500

Extra Specialaward at 25 yrsService

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YOUR BREAKSWhat can you expect?

SHIFT BREAK TIME4 hours and up to 6 hours 15 minutes paid

(not within 1 hour of start or finish)

Over 6 hours and up to 8 hours 2 x 15 minutes paid(not within 1 hour of start or finishand not within 2 hours of each other)

Over 8 hours 2 x 15 minutes paid(not within 1 hour of start or finish)

1 x 30 minutes unpaid(not within 2 hours of either break)

Enjoy your free cup of tea,coffee or SPAR squash

Please note, cigarette breaks can only be taken as part of an official paid or unpaid break

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Saving up for a Christmas or that special holiday?

Whatever you’re saving up for, you can save from as little as £5 per week in the PaySaveMonthly Saver Account with the West Bromwich Building Society. Monies can bestopped directly out of your wages.

Don’t have a West Brom Building Society near you? – no problem – your account can beoperated by telephone/post.

Check out the latest PaySave rates at www.westbrom.co.uk

Want to open an account?You’ll find a Paysave Monthly Saver application form in ‘Your Care Programme’ folder on sharepoint. Send your completed form together with a recent utility bill to:

Triff Simcox c/o A F Blakemore Unit 401, Axcess 10 Business Park, Bentley rd, Darleston. WS10 8LQ

Tel: 0121 5682948

Don’t forget to return a utility bill with your PaySave application form!NB - mobile phone bills are not accepted

YOUR PAYSAVE MONTHLYSAVER ACCOUNT

A health cash plan with 100% cashback* Now that’s a benefit

Health Shield is a non-profit making friendly society with 130 years experience of healthcare provision. We are one ofthe UK’s leading providers of heath cash plans, providing services to hundreds of businesses both large and small.

With Health Shield everyday healthcare will cost you less…

A Healthcare Cash Plan from Health Shield offers an affordable way to help you and your family with everydayhealthcare costs. Health Shield will refund 100% of your healthcare costs up to your chosen annual limit and subjectto annual review. There are six levels of cover available to choose from.

With a payroll deduction facility, cover is available for you or you and your partner and dependent children arecovered whichever option you choose. Cover provides separate annual maximums for yourself, your partner (ifcovered) and all dependent children up to the age of 18. Immediate benefit cover** is available meaning thatqualifying periods are waived allowing you instant access to most benefits (cover will begin on the date the firstdeduction is taken from your salary).

Cashback for a wide variety of benefits such as:• Dental including teeth whitening, practice plan premiums and joining fees (e.g. Denplan)• Physiotherapy, Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Acupuncture and Homoeopathy• Dental accident • Optical including laser eye treatment• Hospital inpatient • Hospital day-case• Parental hospital stay • Maternity – antenatal appointment and adoption• Health & wellbeing • Specialist consultation• Chiropody • Health screening• Personal accident protection • Prescription benefit• Fitness benefit • 24 hour helpline • Worldwide cover

The Health & Wellbeing benefit covers Acupressure, Allergy testing, Aromatherapy, Bowen/Alexander technique,Chair massage, Cognitive behavioural therapy, Colonic hydrotherapy, Counselling fees, Hopi ear candles,Hypnotherapy, Indian head massage, Kinesiology, Naturopathy, Nutritional therapy, Reflexology, Reiki, Remedialmassage, Shiatsu and Sports massage.

For more information on Health Shield, and the levels of cover available for you and your family, visitwww.healthshield.co.uk or call 01270 588555 to speak to an advisor. As part of our on-going quality controlprogramme, calls may be monitored or recorded.

*Up to your chosen annual limit. Subject to annual review **This concession excludes all the maternity - antenatal appointment and adoption benefit that has a 40 week qualifying period.

Health Shield Friendly Society Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

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YOUR CUSTOMER CARE AWARD11

Do you have a member of your team that deserves more than a thank you?

Staff can be nominated for the award by a customer or colleague• A monthly winner will receive £50 vouchers• The 12 monthly winners will be judged annually

by the Staff Consultation Group with 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes awarded of £500, £250 and £100 vouchers.

Nominating a colleague is easy!Call Gemma Minshell-Sutton on 01902 364928 with the name of your nominee and the reason you think they deliver SPARkling Service.

Send your nomination via email to gminshell-sutton@afblakemore.com

Nominate online by visitingwww.afblakemore.com/blakemore-retail/customer-care-award

REWARDING EXCELLENCE

Are you conscientious & hardworking?Do you go the extra mile for your colleagues & customers?

You might have what it takes to win one of these exciting competitions!To be in with a chance to win up to £500 of vouchers simply *nominate yourself or get a

colleague to nominate you. Winners are announced at the annual conference.

Look out for competition details in your staff area 2-3 months prior to the annual conference.

Good luck!*All nominations must be seconded and submitted by your Area Manager

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VOLUNTARY BENEFITS SCHEMEAll colleagues are invited to take part in our Voluntary Benefit scheme that gives youthe opportunity to access a range of discounts, all year round.

The scheme allows you to enjoy special deals and straightforward discounts with someof the UK’s leading retailers, as well as build up reward points to convert to cash.

All colleagues are provided with log-in details for an on-line portal that will allow you totake advantage of a range of discounts:

What can you expect to see?

• Up to 15% off high street brands• 50-90% off restaurants, spas and weekend activities• Exclusive in-store and on-line savings• Reward points that you can convert to cash

How to get your unique log-in details?

• You will be sent your unique log-in by letter to your home address.

How to take advantage of the voluntary benefits scheme?

• Use your log-in details to access the Blakemore Retail Your Care Programme Benefits website

• Click on the Voluntary Benefits icon and explore the offers available

For further information contact the Voluntary Benefits helpdesk on 0844 414 6396, or via e-mail

at afbyourcare@benefexadmin.co.uk

YOUR ATTENDANCE DRAW

Good attendance can reap rewards!

Colleagues with 100% attendance will be entered into our quarterly draw with anopportunity to be awarded up to £500 in recognition of their contribution to thebusiness.

The rules of the Attendance Draw scheme are as follows;

1) Employees must have six months service to be eligible

2) Only Directors are exempt from the scheme, all other categories ofemployees are eligible

3) A random draw will take place 4 times per year, on the first Friday of January,April, July and October.

4) Prize values are as follows;

• 12 months no absence £500 (£250 for 29.75 hours per week or less)• 6 months no absence £250 (£125 for 29.75 hours per week or less)

5) Qualifying dates for the draws are as follows;

• No absence for 6 / 12 months up to w/e first week in December • No absence for 6 / 12 months up to w/e first week in March• No absence for 6 / 12 months up to w/e first week in June• No absence for 6 / 12 months up to w/e first week in September

The new attendance draw covers all of Blakemore Retail, with 20 awards per quarter (10 x 12 month and 10 x 6 month 100% attendance) making a total of 80 awards perannum.

Every award will be presented in person by a Director or Regional Manager togetherwith an entry in the Blakemore Retail employee magazine.

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YOUR STAFF CONSULTATION GROUP

What does the Staff Consultation Group do?The group meets at least twice a year & is made up of representatives from all areas of thecompany, (stores, accounts, fresh food, post office, training & HR – Geoff Hallam also sits on thegroup)

Its purpose is to give all employees a voice regardless of where they work, how many hours theywork or what position they hold

What sort of things get raised?Anything & everything to do with the company in areas such as terms & conditions, training, staffbenefits, company policies, suggestions for improving areas of the company or just comments onthe way we do business. Anything goes!

I have a question/query/concern that I’d like raising – who do I speak to?Contact any member of the Training dept or any Staff Consultation Group rep with your query. It will be raised at the next meeting and the response will be minuted. (Minutes are distributed within 1 month)

How will I know when the next meeting is?A notice will be distributed prior to each meeting to inform staff of the date of the next meeting.

Who are the representatives?A full list of representatives and their contact details will be circulated to all stores/offices at least one month ahead of the meeting giving you plenty of time to contact them with your query.

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Want to know more about your company?

Why not check out our web site.

Log onto

www.afblakemore.com

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“ IT’S YOUR SHOUT! ”...AND WE’RE LISTENING

‘It’s Your Shout’ is designed to encourage you to give us your ideasfor improving the company.

Your idea might be about better service, efficiency, environment, cost or indeedanything that you think will make improvements.

The best ideas will be rewarded. Give us the benefit of your ideas and you could win upto £500 in Vouchers. Even if you don’t win first prize, there are chances to win otherprizes.

The most impressive ideas will be awarded 1st, 2nd or a bonus prize. You can also earn£50 just by having your idea accepted.

If you have an idea about how we can improve any part of the business please let usknow. You’ll find the Its Your Shout Application Form on share-point in ‘Your CareProgramme’ Folder

Good luck!

1st Prize£500

2nd Prize£250

BonusPrize£100

IdeaAcceptance

£50

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YOUR CONFIDENTIALCOLLEAGUE HELPLINE

OR COUNSELLING SERVICEFeeling stressed in your workplace? Need to talk in confidence?

Something happened in your work place that is getting you down?

When things go wrong it can cause anxiety, upset and feelings of anger or even helplessness……If you’ve been affected by any event

in your workplace and you’d like to talk to someone about it in confidence you may be interested in one of the above services

It’s quite natural to feel ‘out of sorts’ at work from time to time but if something in your workplace is really getting to you – don’t suffer in silence.

These feelings can manifest themselves immediately following an event or incident or in the weeks or sometimes months that follow…

They are not exclusive to those directly involved. Just working in a store withcolleagues that have experienced an unpleasant event or incident can cause

you to feel alarmed or concerned…

Each individual has their own way of coping with these feelings. We can’t turn back time, what’s happened has happened but if you feel it

would help to talk you may wish to contact one of the numbers listed below…

Just want to chat informally & in confidence with a senior colleague?

CALL 07500 794348Line open 7 days a week 8am-8pm

Don’t worry about the call charge – we’ll call you straight back

Prefer to talk to a professional counselor?

CALL 0808 801 0808Line open 24 hours a day - 7 days a week

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YOUR CHILDCARE VOUCHERSHelping you to save money on your registered childcare costs

Childcare vouchers are a tax initiative, designed to help working parents save money ontheir registered childcare costs. This is done by reducing the tax and National Insurancecontributions (NIC) you have to pay from your gross salary.

Childcare vouchers are a recognised method of paying for registered childcare. They arenot just for children of pre-school age. You can use them to pay for registered childcarefor children aged up to 16 (1 September following 15th birthday or 1 September following 16th birthday for

children who are registered disabled).

Your employer has chosen us to provide the childcare vouchers, and you can start toreceive childcare vouchers in exchange for part of your gross salary. This is known as a‘salary sacrifice’. The part of your gross salary you exchange for childcare vouchers istax-free and exempt from National Insurance contributions. Because of this, you canmake savings of up to £933 a parent, a year (The savings you make will depend on your circumstances.

Figures quoted are the maximum available savings for Basic rate tax-payers). It does not cost you anything tosign up for childcare vouchers and the scheme applies whatever rate of tax you pay.

For more info or to request a parent info pack, contact HR at Unit 401 |Axcess 10Business Park | Bentley Road South | WEST MIDLANDS| WS10 8LQ T. 0121 568 2910 | F. 0121 568 2942

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EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERING

For further information or an employee volunteeringbriefing pack please contact Liz Bell ( Corporate AffairsOfficer) at:

Unit 401, Axcess 10 Business Park,Bentley Road South, WEST MIDLANDS WS10 8LQ

T. 0121 568 2910F. 0121 568 2942 E: lbell@afblakemore.co.uk W: www.afblakemore.com

Employee volunteering is an integral part of the A.F. Blakemore culture. The programmeencourages employees to volunteer their services, in works time, in support of the communitygroups that work in the heart of the communities where we trade.

Volunteering has proven to raise the companies profile and reputation in the community and is agreat team building and development opportunity for employees taking part.

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BLAKEMORE FOUNDATIONThe Blakemore Foundation is a charitable trust that represents 2%of the company’s profits, supporting good causes in your area.

If you are aware of a local good cause in need of support or have undertaken asponsored activity, then the Blakemore Foundation may be able to help.

For further information or an application form pleasecontact Kate Senter (Community Affairs Assistant) at : Unit 401, Axcess 10 Business Park,Bentley Road South, WEST MIDLANDS WS10 8LQ

T. 0121 568 2910F. 0121 568 2942 E: ksenter@afblakemore.co.uk W: www.afblakemore.com

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PAYROLL GIVING

What is Payroll Giving? Payroll Giving is a simple, tax effective way to give to charity from your pay. Surveysshow that each month around two thirds of us give to charity. Giving regularly to yourfavourite charitable cause is an excellent way to help others and do something to makethe world a better place.

How does Payroll Giving work?You authorise the payroll dept to deduct regular charitable donations from your pay.Your donation is then sent to the Payroll Giving agency approved by HM Revenue &Customs. The agency then distributes the money to the charity or charities of yourchoice.

I'm interested, what should I do now?Complete the ‘Payroll Giving Authorisation Form (found in the ‘Your Care Programme’Folder on share-point) & send it to: KATE DEAKIN c/o Blakemore Payroll Dept, AF Blakemore & Son, Long Acres Industrial Estate, Rosehill, Willenhall, West Midlands, WV13 2JP

The Way We Work

LEAD and INFLUENCECreate a ‘can-do’ attitude by involving your team and your colleagues inwhat you are trying to achieve – empower them, support and encouragethem. Take responsibility for your actions and those of your team but ifmistakes are made don’t dwell on them – react appropriately and learn

from them. Be your own role model and always lead by example. Developa reputation for being firm, fair and approachable. Inspire and motivateyour team with your passion and drive for excellence. Don’t be afraid tointroduce challenging objectives but do it thoughtfully and allow timeand space for others to respond and ask questions. Take considered risks

and don’t avoid decisions in difficult situations.

RESPECT and VALUEMake trust and loyalty a way of life. Be known for being truthful, reliableand consistent. Recognise and value people’s differences and respectindividuality. Look for the best in people, let them know that you valuethem and help them recognise their potential. Treat everyone as youwould like to be treated yourself, and go out of your way to encourage

good relationships with your colleagues and your team.

LISTEN and INFORMListen, ask questions and observe, don’t jump to conclusions. Be awarethat your first response may not always be the right one. Accept that

listening is a valuable as telling. Encourage others to do the same. Alwaysgive feedback at the appropriate time and place and in such a way thatpeople can improve and learn as a result. Make sure that you give peoplethe information they need to understand what you are trying to achieve.

RECOGNISE and ACKNOWLEDGETreat all staff and customers in a courteous, friendly manner. Celebrate

and reward success and express appreciation for what others arecontributing. Be prepared to praise excellence and equally prepared tochallenge under-performance. Always take pride in your work and

appreciate what others are doing. ‘Thank you’ is so easy and so powerfuland can mean so much to people!

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Blakemore Retail, Long Acres Industrial EstateRosehill, Willenhall, West Midlands. WV13 2JP

Tel:01902 366066