Interfront 2023 Annual Report

74 INTERFRONT ANNUAL REPORT 2023 CULTURE An organisation’s culture encompasses the shared values, beliefs, behaviours and practices that guide the actions and interactions of its employees. It is the collective personality of a company and shapes its working environment. Creating a personal culture unique to Interfront is critical to the overall success of the company, since employees are more likely to feel a sense of belonging and alignment if the company culture is positive and supportive. Diversity and inclusion are also important components of a healthy company culture that respects and appreciates the differences and perspectives of every employee. To this effect, Interfront emphasises continuous learning and development and provides opportunities for growth and career advancement. Additionally, a positive company culture often promotes work-life balance and employee well-being, recognising the importance of both. It has become evident that the introduction of the new hybrid working model has undeniably exerted a beneficial influence on Interfront’s overall company culture. A strong and positive company culture fosters a sense of belonging and alignment among employees, creating a supportive and motivating work environment. The recent Employee Engagement Survey indicated that the level of trust among employees that work together regularly is high, which shows a healthy strength in relationships. While Interfront has made significant efforts in recent years to cultivate a positive company culture, there remains room for further enhancement. Recognising the pivotal role of company culture in influencing the overall work environment and the enduring prosperity of an organisation, Interfront has embarked on a new objective: to establish itself as a sought- after employer in both the immediate and the long-term future. Finding an equilibrium between the constraints inherent in being a public entity and the advantages offered by the private sector will prove a formidable task. Interfront will need to find a culture that represents the best of both worlds. Employment and Vacancies Interfront commenced the 2022/2023 financial year with 102 employees and ended it with 155 employees, excluding Interfront’s graduates and bursars. Interfront successfully recruited 21 employees while attempting to fill 25 vacancies. A total of 499 applications were received for vacant positions, excluding the 300 applications received for the graduate internship programme.