Material issues and objectives

Health and safety

Health and safety is material to Reed Elsevier because we can only perform well if our workplaces and employees are healthy and safe.

2008 Objective:

• 5% decrease in workers’ compensation claims

Our employees have the right to a healthy and safe workplace as outlined in the Reed Elsevier global Health and Safety Policy. As a measure of improving conditions, we achieved a 24% drop in workers’ compensation claims in the United States, home to the majority of our employees. We expanded training for Health & Safety Champions to improve reporting, and received assurance on health and safety data from Ernst & Young LLP.

2009 Objectives:

• Develop targeted and effective global wellness campaign
• 10% reduction in severity rate by 2010 (from 2008 baseline)