Promotion of Diversity

Promotion Structure for Nurturing Diversity

President Sasaki, advocating diversity as a management strategy at an internal forum (the 11th Kirameki Forum)

The maximization of the capabilities and strengths of diverse employees is critical for active innovation and corporate growth.

Based on this belief, Toshiba Group has positioned the promotion of diversity as one of its management strategies. The president has, in his start-of-term addresses to employees and at “Kirameki Forum” for employees (which also features experts from outside the company), spoken directly on the importance of diversity.

We have established a dedicated division, the Diversity Development Division, with the aim of promoting diversity by taking measures including improvement of the personnel management system.

Education and Training on Respect for Diversity

Toshiba Group strives to create an organizational culture where the individuality and values of employees worldwide are respected and where each employee is provided the opportunity to maximize their capabilities and strengths. As part of efforts to enhance employee understanding of diversity so that employees have respect for it, diversity training is also incorporated into the training program called training by grade. We have also enhanced the diversity training by providing training with a view to improving communication with employees with impaired hearing.

Also, Toshiba has set up a mail address for counseling related to workplace grievances. Based on the opinions and requests from employees, special forums are organized to provide opportunities for interactions among various employees.

Employment of Non-Japanese People

As part of our diversity promotion program, we are increasing the recruitment of non-Japanese employees.

Since 2006, we have conducted our “global recruitment” program in an effort to directly recruit students graduating from foreign universities. To facilitate their adaptation to life and work in Japan, we provide a wide range of life-related assistance as well as work-related support such as providing each non-Japanese employee with a mentor who provides them with guidance based on a tailor-made job skill improvement plan.

Employment of People with Disabilities

As of April 1, 2011, Toshiba Corp. had 502 employees with disabilities, accounting for 1.92% of the overall workforce. Of the 139 Group-wide companies (in Japan), 136 have already achieved the statutory employment ratio of people with disabilities. We are striving for Group-wide achievement of this statutory target.

We have also made efforts to improve the work environment for employees with disabilities. In FY2010, we established a network connecting seven divisions engaged in supporting people with disabilities, including the Human Resources and Administration Division and Toshiba Design Center. This network has enabled us to devise and implement comprehensive measures to support such employees.

Employment Ratio of People with Disabilities
		June 2009	June 2010	April 2011
Toshiba Corp.	No. of people	467	474	502
Toshiba Corp.	Employment ratio	1.88%	1.86%	1.92%
Toshiba group companies in Japan	No. of people	1,782	1,793	1,795
	Employment ratio	2.22%	2.20%	2.24%
	No. of companies meeting the ratio	160	146	136

Toshiba Initiative: Toshiba With to promote employment of people with disabilities

Employees of Toshiba With engaged in printing and bookbinding tasks

Toshiba With was established in February 2005 as a special subsidiary which, in accordance with Toshiba's basic policy, aims to employ people with disabilities It was named “With” in the hope of creating an environment where people with and without disabilities can live and work together. Currently, 25 employees, most of whom have intellectual disabilities, are working at five business sites of Toshiba Group.

Toshiba Initiative: Sign language lessons

An employee with impaired hearing teaching sign language

Toshiba Group has many employees with impaired hearing. In order to facilitate smooth communication in the workplace, we have been providing employees with a monthly sign language lesson, “Toshiba sign language club,” since FY2009.

Participants are placed in suitable classes according to their level of sign language skills. In the classes, employees with impaired hearing serve as instructors, teaching sign language and other communication techniques in order to deepen understanding of hearing disabilities.

Greater Opportunities for Elderly People

In order to promote diversity and counter the declining birth rate and aging population in Japan, we have established a system to extend employment of older employees.

Under this system, any employee wishing to continue working for Toshiba Group (in Japan) even after the retirement age of 60 can remain employed up to the age of 65. This system has provided many older employees with opportunities to continue their jobs.