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RISK FACTORS
5
LEGAL, REGULATORY AND TAX RISKS
5.4
EMPLOYEE-RELATED RISKS
Type
Impact
Risk reduction measures
Risk that the Group’s available skills do not
match client and market requirements.
Negative impact
on the Group’s image
and revenue.
The Group devotes significant efforts and resources – in terms of management time,
employees’ working hours and cash – to continuously training its engineers, and has
developed dedicated structures by sector and business within its in-house training centre,
the Assystem Institute. Skills reviews are conducted annually for all engineers, which help
detect any training requirements for acquiring new skills or honing existing skills. In addition,
annual recruitment campaigns specifically target the competencies required for successfully
carrying out the Group’s current and future projects.
Risk of losing key skills needed for the
Group to be able to operate and develop.
Negative impact
on the Group’s image
and revenue.
Key persons are identified within each of the Group’s operating entities as well as in its
head office and support functions.
Succession plans have been drawn up or are being prepared for all of these key persons.
In addition, the measures taken to ensure the continuity of the internal control system and
the continuous improvement approach of which this system forms part are notably aimed
at ensuring the continuity of the Group’s processes and operations independently of the
persons in charge of them, thus decreasing the risk of dependence on key persons.
5.5
RISKS RELATED TO INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Type
Impact
Risk reduction measures
Risk that data is not available
or is corrupted.
Inability to pursue
projects, negative
impact on the Group’s
image and revenue.
In view of the Group’s high dependence on information systems (for the performance of
client projects as well as for its own requirements) and the decentralisation of the IT function,
risks related to information systems are closely scrutinised. Business continuity and recovery
plans have been drawn up and tested in all operating units. Access to information systems
is also strictly controlled, especially for employees who use remote access (although the
number of these employees is limited). Lastly, access to restricted client areas (engineering
platforms installed on Group premises) is strictly controlled in line with clients’ security
policies.
5.6
LEGAL, REGULATORY AND TAX RISKS
Type
Impact
Risk reduction measures
Risk of lack of control over the legal and
tax aspects of the Group’s business and
operations in a context of globalisation,
and lack of regulatory compliance.
Negative impact
on the Group’s image
and operating profit.
The contract acceptance process systematically includes a legal and tax review.
These reviews are used to ensure, in particular, that there are no terms or conditions
in the contract that are unacceptable for the Group. The definitions and formal
classifications of these terms and conditions are provided to all line managers.
The Group has also introduced quarterly risk reports for France that are submitted
to the Finance, Legal/Insurance, Accounting/Tax and Management Control Departments.
Risk that changes to French or foreign tax
regulations, or their interpretation by the
relevant authorities, may be contrary to the
Group’s interests or may restrict the Group’s
ability to organise or develop its business.
Negative impact on
operating profit and/or
consolidated profit.
Working in conjunction with operations staff, the Group Tax Department monitors any
changes in tax regulations, and their corresponding interpretations, that are of relevance
to the Group. Where necessary, it suggests ways of adapting the Group’s organisational
structure and its operations in order to mitigate the impacts of such changes.
ASSYSTEM
REGISTRATION DOCUMENT
2016
75