At Southern Company, we believe in our communities. We make direct corporate contributions to many independent, non-profit company foundations that contribute to arts and culture, health and human services, civic and community projects, safety, education, and the environment. These contributions, and those of our employees, raise about $2 million annually which funds support of United Way charities, the Ronald McDonald House, American Cancer Society, Salvation Army, and more!
Volunteerism
Our employees make a difference! Did you know that for the Relay for Life and March of Dimes' WalkAmerica, there were over 1,700 Southern Company employees involved? These employees raised over $350,000 in 2008! On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, employees took a “day of service” to enrich their communities, totaling nearly 2,600 hours of their time on King Day in 2008. As a company, thousands of our employees and retirees freely give more than 200,000 hours annually to make the lives of other people better and lend a hand in their communities.
Safety first!! A few years ago we adopted
Target Zero, aimed at instilling individual
responsibility for safety. Now, all large employee meetings start with a safety briefing – for jobs with a higher risk of injury, it’s how they start each shift. We like to remind our employees of how important they are to the company, their families and coworkers.
Every Southern Company employee is reminded often that working safely is a requirement. For every job:
- We identify hazards and determine how to avoid them.
- We go over safety details with all employees who will perform the work.
- While working, we watch out for each other and start corrective actions if we see unsafe conditions.
- Reporting safety concerns is rewarded and protected!
In all of 2007, the 334 employees at Plant Miller in Alabama had zero accidents – either personally or in vehicle accidents. They serve as a good example of a large employee group achieving Target Zero. In total, more than 25,700 of nearly 26,800 employees across our system achieved Target Zero. In 2008 we met our recordable incidence rate target and approached our lost workday rate target - both considerable improvements over past years. See performance for details. 
Sustaining a Culture of Excellence Through Inclusion
Southern Company's focus on diversity and inclusion is based on Southern Style, our pledge to earn unquestionable trust, our dedication to superior performance, and our total commitment to the success of everyone touched by our business. An inclusive work environment is one where all employees, regardless of their differences, feel welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged. Our strategy is to:
- Allow representatives of the communities we serve help us meet the requirements of our business
- Build relationships with diverse suppliers, including women and minority-owned businesses, to broaden access to products and services and provide economic inclusion.
Read More Here - Form partnerships to ensure the growth and vitality of the diverse communities where we serve, work and live.
Read More Here
Since 2001, Southern Company has surveyed its employees annually to learn how they feel about the workplace and to uncover insights on how we should direct future efforts. Areas targeted on the survey include fairness and openness within individual work groups, management and supervision, the selection and development process, and valuing differences. Surveys have led to new programs, policy changes, and expanded employee benefits for vacation time, day care, and health coverage.
To enhance the feel of teamwork through the company, Southern Company supports the creation of employee affinity groups – groups which are created by and for employees sharing common interests or characteristics. They provide employees with an place to voice issues, present solutions, and participate in activities that lead to an inclusive work environment.
In a business with low turnover, like ours, overall change can start slow. However, promotion and recruitment rates show progress among new workers, with increasing minority and female representation. To help speed change, Southern Company named a chief diversity officer in 2005 and merged the diversity and talent management organizations in 2006 to better integrate work force strategy and planning.
The actions of our people are our company, and our people exhibit these behaviors and model these values.
Unquestionable Trust
Honesty, respect, fairness and integrity drive our behavior. We keep our Promises, and Ethical Behavior is our standard.
Superior Performance
We are dedicated to superior performance throughout our business. Our priorities are safety first, teamwork, diversity and continuous Improvement through Strong Leadership.
Total Commitment
We are committed to the success of our employees, customers and shareholders and to citizenship and stewardship in all our actions.