Management Foundation (DE&I)
SMFL affords each individual the utmost respect and works to foster an organization that makes every possible effort to transpose each employee's personality and attributes into an organizational strength.
Deepening DE&I
SMFL affords each individual the utmost respect and works to foster an organization that makes every possible effort to transpose each employee's personality and attributes into an organizational strength.
We will thereforeprovide an environment where diverse people can work with satisfaction and fully experience their own personal growth with the aim offostering an organizational culture empowered by diversity.
Empowering women
As a means of empowering women, we strive to increase the percentage of female managers and the percentage of female new graduates hired, and provide support for their career development. As of April 2025, we employed four female officers, and are now engaged in medium- to long-term career support initiatives through interactive events involving officers and other experienced employees, and through training programs. In recognition of our leading efforts to empower women, we received L-Boshi (2 Star) certification.
Numerical targets and action plans for promotion of women to management positions, etc.
Achievements：Percentage of female managers
Employing people with disabilities
To enable each and every employee with a disability to fulfill their potential, we have established a support system that includes job and task assignments that accommodate the needs of each individual, as well as periodic personnel interviews.
Achievement：Percentage of employees with disabilities hired
Activities of Seniors
As we enter the era of 100 years of life, it is increasingly important for each individual to think about his or her long-term career.
Considering this situation, we have expanded our work options, including the "Work-Life Challenge system" (working on 12 days a month) and short-time flextime for nursing care, so that aspiring senior employees can choose careers that will enable them to play an active role for a longer period of time, as well as a variety of careers throughout their lives.
We also conduct a variety of training programs, such as "Career Management Training", to help employees develop their own careers.
Promoting LGBTQ Understanding
To create a workplace environment in which sexual minority employees, including LGBTQ people, can play an active role, we have established employment rules and specialized consultation desks that allow same-sex partners to work equally with their spouses.
We also hold study sessions to promote a better understanding of our employees and our company participates in various events.
In the PRIDE Index 2023, an evaluation index for LGBTQ and other sexual minority initiatives in the workplace, we have received the highest ranking of Gold since 2020.
Improving Well-being
We promote the development of an environment that allows employees to maximize their potential by supporting work styles that accommodate their diverse lifestyles.
Health and Productivity Management
SMFL Group recognize that the health of all employees across the group and their families is of the utmost importance in realizing our vision. SMFL Group provide opportunities for each individual to maintain and enhance their health, and to take on challenges with vitality by reducing absenteeism and presenteeism caused by physical and mental health issues. SMFL Group also utilize various metrics, such as the health check-up participation rates and stress checks completion rates, in our initiatives.
Furthermore, SMFL Group shall enhance collaboration with our supply chain partners and business partners involved in value creation, aiming for mutual growth and shared prosperity in promoting health and productivity management.
Health and Productivity Management System Chart
Flexible work styles
In an effort to ensure healthy working hours for employees, SMFL sets Group-wide smart work targets each year for working hours and the promotion of paid leave. SMFL received a 4-star rating in the Nikkei Sustainable Management Survey (Smart Work Edition)*, which selects leading companies that are taking on the challenge of revolutionizing productivity through work style reforms.
- ※Efforts to maximize organizational performance through three initiatives: use of human resources, investment in human resources, and use of technology are defined as smart work management. These efforts are evaluated on a 5-star scale.
Under the flextime system (eliminating core time), employees are able to work flexibly in line with their individual circumstances and at their own convenience. In addition, it is also possible to take paid leave by the hour, and employees who are raising children or attending meetings can further utilize short working hours or staggered working time systems. Employees are also allowed to engage in remote work, which includes working from home, at the home of a second-degree relative, or a satellite office.
As the diversification of work styles continues to accelerate, we are conducting labor management training for managers and working to instill within SMFL a proper understanding of labor management as well as appropriate management methods.
Support for Work-Life Balance
Support for Childcare
SMFL has not only a parental leave, but also a leave for taking care of sick children that can be used in case of sudden illness.
Employees can take "leave for taking care of sick children system" by the hour. We also provide career support through "follow-up training for employees returning from childcare leave" and individual interviews before and after maternity leave.
We have received “Platinum Kurumin” certification from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare as a childcare support which is particularly outstanding among companies proactive in supporting the development of the next generation.
Act on Advancement of Measures to Support Raising Next-Generation Children.（PDF : 101KB）
Nursing care
In addition to a leave system that addresses employees' long-term nursing care needs, SMFL has established a nursing care leave system that can be used in the same way as paid leave and covers the various stages of nursing care as family members progressively age. Through a series of seminars, we also invite outside experts to comment, provide general information, and advise on how to balance work and nursing care.
Support for Treatment
We are expanding our "life support leave" and other leave systems so that employees with disease can concentrate on attending hospital and on recuperation with peace of mind.
We are also strengthening our support system by cooperating with industrial physicians and medical institutions.