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For Managers

Perhaps one of your team wants to become a demonstrator or maybe you have a concern about the programme. We hope we answer your questions here, but if not please get in contact with the TACS team (talking.tacs@dhl.com or 0844 875 3031 option 5)

Why is supporting TACS good for my site?

TACS will raise the public profile of the company. Often positive media coverage can be generated through demonstrations. It is a core pillar of DHL’s corporate responsibility programme. Customers also have their own sustainability agenda, and the TACS programme can support that if they are made aware of its impact. It is good for employee morale. Many staff will have young children of their own and in general it has been shown that people are more motivated to work for companies who take an active part in their community. And besides from all these good reasons – it saves lives!

How many TACS demonstrators can I have at my site?

A minimum of two demonstrators are required to carry out a TACS demonstration, but you may find it useful to have additional demonstrators or admin support.Our usual guidance is that there should be no more than four demonstrators at any one site including an admin person. In some areas of the country there are many DHL sites which already have trained demonstrators and therefore we may restrict the number of demonstrators to be trained. Equally, in particular target areas we may encourage more to be trained.

What have I signed off as a manager?

By signing the application form you have agreed to release each demonstrator for a minimum of three demonstration days each year. In addition to this they will need to be released to source the schools and hold meetings with teachers and road safety officers – about three further days per year. You have also authorised release of a suitable vehicle for three days.

How can I help my TACS demonstrators?

It is probably a good idea to agree the best days of the week, or times of the year for demonstrations to take place, up front with your staff. This will minimise any negative impact on operations and manage their expectations. You have agreed to a minimum of three demonstration days per year.

You could consider allocating administrative support to help the demonstrators with phone calls, letters etc. This administrative person will need to attend the TACS training, so they fully understand how the programme works.

Some demonstrators find it difficult to make contact with schools. Consider using your business and community contacts or sending out mail shot letters in your name, which may carry more weight.
Get your customers involved and keep them informed of progress. Your community involvement reflects well on their reputation.

Get the whole site involved – perhaps get a newly trained demonstrator to brief their colleagues, update the team on numbers of children seen or ask staff to nominate their child’s school. Demonstrators can use the Demonstrator Poster to let your employees know who they are.

How can I get the rest of my staff to support the TACS demonstrators?

Help them understand that doing a TACS demonstrations is hard work – keeping the attention of groups of thirty lively children, is certainly not time off! Try getting the demonstrators to involve their colleagues by briefing them about the programme, or prioritising the schools attended by other staff members’ children. If the team understands the aim of TACS and what is involved, they are usually very supportive.

Can I withdraw my permission for staff to do demonstrations?

Of course you can withdraw permission for staff to take part in TACS, but the Foundation would like to know the reason why as there has been considerable time and effort which has gone in to training the demonstrator, there could also be an impact on morale by withdrawing a demonstrator from the scheme.

Equally we have a responsibility to ensure that only appropriate employees volunteer so if you feel an employee is not suitable, please contact the Foundation to discuss this further.

How can I find out more about TACS?

We provide monthly updates to the business through the CR Comms channel. You site’s CSR liaison will be in receipt of this each month from CR Manager Tanya Cotter. We also publish regular news stories in the companies internal communications and magazines.