Attraction and retention

Competitive remuneration and benefits package for employees.

We anticipate we will recruit approximately 1000 new and replacement roles in 2011, so attracting and retaining capable employees is important.

Our employment turnover rate was 10.3 per cent. We experienced an increase in turnover of key professional roles during 2010. Reducing this turnover rate will be a focus in 2011.

Rio Tinto Coal Australia offers competitive remuneration packages supported by a range of complementary benefits for employees. These include provision of flexible working arrangements, subsidised private medical insurance, a safety net for medical expenses not covered by Medicare or private health insurance, subsidised gym membership, an incentive scheme linked to business performance, salary packaging, and a Rio Tinto share purchase scheme.

In 2010, Rio Tinto amended its parental leave scheme for employees based in Australia. Our business offers eligible parents up to 36 weeks paid leave to help employees balance work and family commitments. Previously primary caregivers received 18 weeks leave on full pay, with the option of extending their leave to 36 weeks at half pay.

A commitment to flexible work arrangements, suitable for employees and the business was acknowledged when our Hail Creek Mine was named the Employer of Choice at the 2010 Australian Mining Prospect Awards. Read more about our award.