Japan Tobacco (JT) (TSE: 2914) today announces that it has been recognized under “The 2021 Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program”, also commonly known as the “White 500”, in the large enterprise category for the fifth consecutive year.
The program, conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi (*1), recognizes the top 500 organizations that view their employees’ health as essential from a business management perspective, implementing various initiatives to support the improvement of their health.
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JT recognized on the “White 500” as a leader in employee health and productivity management for the fifth consecutive year
“White 500” Logo (Provided by The Certified
Health & Productivity Management Outstanding
Organizations Recognition Program).
“We are honored to be recognized on the ‘White 500’ yet again. JT is committed to ensuring the physical and mental wellbeing of all our employees, which we believe is essential for our sustainable growth,” said Koichi Mori, Senior Vice President, Human Resources. “Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, our commitment remained unchanged. We have been promoting new ways of working, including active utilization of remote work and online meetings, and continuing our business operations while taking all necessary health-related measures. We prioritized the health and safety of all of our colleagues, their families and all of the stakeholders.”
JT believes that its inclusion in the “White 500” reinforces its commitment towards continuously adapting its workplace to ensure all colleagues can work comfortably. JT will continue to actively work to promote employee health, positioning it as one of its key management challenges.
JT’s initiatives in health and productivity management
Providing a comprehensive health assistance program
- JT has a program devoted to supporting employee health, led by the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and under the policy, “declaration of health and productivity management” signed by the JT Group CEO.
- JT has monitoring indicators focusing on physical health, mental health, engagement, and labor productivity and makes continuous improvements through PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Action) in each of its measures to promote employee health.
- JT has a specialized full-time team at its head office building and 11 other office locations across Japan, dedicated to conducting face-to-face assessments with all employees based on their annual medical exams.
Promoting new ways of working
- JT further reassesses the company’s system to achieve employees’ work-life balance, including:
- Expansion of eligibility criteria for employees to work from home
- Elimination of limitations on the number of times one can use remote work in a week
- Elimination of core working hours in flexible working scheme
- Expansion of the number of employees eligible for the shortened working-hour system for childcare and nursing care
- Change in the payment method for commutation allowance, which is based on the number of days one commutes to the office - JT facilitates the use of PCs and other equipment as well as the access to office network necessary for remote work.
- JT thoroughly implements infection prevention measures, including socially distanced seating at its head office building, which relocated in October 2020, and other office facilities nationwide.
Promoting physical and mental wellness
- As JT recognizes and respects diversity, we promote health and wellbeing of employees by offering several programs that help employees with diverse backgrounds find their own unique method to promote their wellbeing based on their personal values, lifestyles, and preferences.
- JT implements health-promotion activities, in which employees can enjoy sports and other activities within the office. In 2020, JT made it possible to host these activities online and to have family members participate.
- In 2020, JT hosted a company-wide walking-rally event for the first time to inspire employees to exercise and simultaneously contribute to society.
Walking-rally event.
JT donated one meal for every 8,000 steps taken by
each person in a day to children in Africa.
- *1: The Nippon Kenko Kaigi is an organization that takes practical community- and workplace-based actions, under collaboration between private organizations and with full administrative support, to extend healthy lifespans and to provide appropriate medical care targeting individuals in Japan, a country facing a dramatically aging society with fewer children.
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Japan Tobacco Inc. is a leading international tobacco company with operations in more than 130 countries. With approximately 62,000 employees, it manufactures and sells some of the world’s best-known brands including Winston, Camel, MEVIUS and LD. The JT Group is committed to investing in Reduced-Risk Products (RRP) and currently markets its tobacco vapor products under the Ploom brand and various e-cigarette products under its Logic brand. The Group is also present in the pharmaceutical and processed food businesses.