MERLIN Properties Annual Report 2018 / English

ı 92 ı 2,738 h training to employees MERLIN will carry out a new employee satisfaction survey in 2019. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The proactiveness of MERLIN’s professionals is the key to their progress. The Company’s horizontal structure and youth allows its professionals to define the pace and direction of development based on their capabilities and aspirations. During their time at the Company, all professionals have the opportunity to move between different positions and take on new responsibilities. MERLIN also offers its employees on-the- job training, to reinforce their professional development. This training comprises three strands: • Language training plan: MERLIN has extended its language training, now being offered to both the employees at the Company’s headquarters and to its employees in Barcelona, as a result of which the number employees who are able to sign up for it has increased by 16%. • Focused training: MERLIN enables its employees to select the courses best suited to their specific needs. • Shared knowledge: Over its 20 years’ experience, the workforce at MERLIN has built up considerable knowledge on the management tools developed by its work teams and procedures, and the Company views the reinforcement and transfer of such knowledge as a priority. The Company therefore provides annual “internal training” courses which are given by members of MERLIN’s own personnel to their colleagues. During 2018, the training of this type provided has consisted of courses on Office and new digitization tools such as Power BI. In addition, all new employees receive training in the Prevention of Occupational Risks when they join the Company. COMMUNICATION One of the main reasons for MERLIN’s desire to keep its current structure is related to the effectiveness of its communication with the employees. The Company is well aware of the importance of having communication channels in place to ensure staying informed regarding the concerns and opinions of its employees. MERLIN has therefore focused part of its efforts on the development of new communication channels and the reinforcement of existing channels: • In 2018, the Company held the Group’s first global meeting in Madrid, attended by all the company’s employees from different geographies. • MERLIN celebrated again the annual asset management meeting, in which 73 employees participated, including senior management, the asset managers of different portfolios and different corporate departments. The aim was to favour the adoption of a culture common to all the various teams, and give the participants first-hand knowledge of the assets and see the synergies existing between them. MERLIN continues to work on improving its communications channels. As part of it, MERLIN will carry out a new employee satisfaction survey in 2019.