Promoting the Participation of a Diverse Array of Employees in the Workplace

Initiative to Support Foreign Employees
Initiatives for Employees with Disabilities
Initiative to Support LGBT People

Initiative to Support Foreign Employees

There is a wide variety of cultural differences among foreign employees.

The important thing is to overcome differences in characteristics and values derived from cultural and historical backgrounds and understand each other with compassion to others.

We are also working to achieve synergies by leveraging the advantage of unique qualities of international employees.

Management Training for Foreign Employees’ Supervisors

Background and Purpose of the Training

Through interviews with foreign employees and their supervisors, we have learned that supervisors overseeing foreign employees are struggling in the management of foreign employees who have grown up in different cultures.

In light of this situation, we hold regular training sessions to help supervisors who have foreign employees as subordinates deepen their understanding of differences in cultural backgrounds and learn management skills that are useful in their daily management.

Approximately 50 people from Kobe Steel and Group companies, including Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., Kobelco Research Institute, Inc., Shinsho Corporation, and Shinko Engineering & Maintenance Co., Ltd., participate in the training for foreign employees’ supervisors.

Providing a Guidebook for Workplaces with Foreign Employees

We have created and distributed a guidebook that summarizes ideas and essential knowledge about cultural differences for workplaces that have employees from overseas.

Exchange Meetings for Foreign Employees

In fiscal 2018, the Tokyo and Kobe head offices held the first exchange meetings for foreign employees to help them forge a network among foreign employees at different business locations. The exchange meetings enabled them to share their experiences with each other and increase motivation for their future career development and continuing working over the long term. We had participants from Group companies in addition to those from our own company. The exchange meetings consisted of a group discussion, lectures by senior employees, and more. We plan to continue holding this kind of exchange meeting once every few years.

Mentoring System for Foreign Employees

Details:

Through the mentoring system, foreign employees with two or more years of experience at the company may, at their request, receive continued support from experienced mentors (manager-level or above) who were posted overseas or with overseas business dealings on how to deepen mutual understanding of cultural differences and other advice about their jobs and careers.

Background / Purpose:

Through periodic conversations with mentors who have deep understanding of the cultural differences between Japan and overseas, this system aims to fulfill the following goals by facilitating frank discussions about vague feelings of unease about one’s future career at the company and thoughts on working in Japan, as well as addressing other points of concern.

To reduce concerns and feelings of unease while continuing to work at our company
To support long-term career formation and address the lack of role models

Provision of a Prayer Room

At some offices, we have set up prayer rooms for employees who need to pray periodically. Customers visiting our offices from overseas can make use of them as well.

Provision of a Prayer Room

Initiatives for Employees with Disabilities

The Kobe Steel Group has been actively promoting the recruitment of employees with disabilities and establishment of a comfortable work environment that allows them to fulfill their individual potential.

Kobe Steel conducts recruitment activities throughout the year with an aim to have an increased number of employees with disabilities. Our efforts include collaboration with local employment service centers (called Hello Work in Japan) and polytechnic schools for those with disabilities, participation in joint job interview events, school visits, and more.

As of June 1, 2019 the percentage of people with disabilities employed at Kobe Steel is 2.37%. (The statutory rate is 2.2%)

Employment Rate of Employees with Disabilities

Employment Rate of Employees with Disabilities

Initiative to Support LGBT People

We are promoting initiatives for understanding and supporting LGBT issues.

We conduct a variety of in-house training programs for all executives and employees to raise the awareness of LGBT issues.

In addition, we have created a logo to express that we are an Ally of LGBT and set up a consultation desk.

KOBELCO LGBT ALLY Logo

KOBELCO LGBT ALLY Logo

* Our rugby ball shaped logo is inspired by Kobelco Kobe Steelers, a league one rugby club in Japan.

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