Human Capital: Diversity
Fostering a DEI-Based Organizational Culture
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Konica Minolta’s Approach
Background and Issues
To make diversity of talent a source for innovation, it is vital that we embrace diverse talent in terms of nationality, race, gender, age, expertise, and other factors, and that we also turn each employee's differences into strengths and work effectively as a team. To that end, we need to eliminate biases that interfere with employees exercising their abilities and create a psychologically safe corporate culture where everyone can speak frankly.
Vision
To continue to create solutions to social issues, we respect differences and embrace diverse values to improve employee job satisfaction. We seek to foster a corporate culture that enables employees to exchange their differing ideas in a constructive way and to take on challenges while helping each other out.
Key Measures and KPIs
- Formulate and implement independent DEI promotion plans at Konica Minolta, Inc., and major Group companies in response to societal demands and to build the desired organizational culture
- Provide learning opportunities and strengthen awareness-raising activities to promote DEI throughout the Group
| Results | Targets | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2021 | FY2022 | FY2023 | FY2024 | FY2024 | FY2025 | ||
| Equity | Konica Minolta Group | 7.1 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 8.0 or more |
| Konica Minolta, Inc. | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 7.0 or more | |
| Freedom of opinion | Konica Minolta Group | 6.9 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.7 | 8.0 or more |
| Konica Minolta, Inc. | 6.5 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 7.5 or more | |
*Average score of answers to the following questions on a scale of 0 to 10
Equity: “People from all backgrounds are treated fairly at my company.”
Freedom of opinion: “At work, my opinions are valued”
As FY2023 to FY2025 policy, targets were set based on the same industry benchmarks as the FY2021 survey.
Formulate and Implement DEI Promotion Plans That Drive Business Growth
Konica Minolta, Inc. and its major Group companies have continued their activities in fiscal 2024 in accordance with the DEI promotion plans that were formulated from fiscal 2022 to 2023 and tailored to the characteristics of each company (27 companies in 24 countries).
As a result, although the Company did not achieve its goals, it was able to maintain and improve the employee engagement survey items set as KPIs, even while implementing a global structural reform involving difficult decisions as a management strategy.
To achieve its vision for 2030, it is crucial for each company and business to implement the necessary initiatives. Moving forward, each organization will address its strengths and challenges, and the Konica Minolta Group will work together to persistently promote DEI.
Providing Learning Opportunities for Employees
Initiatives at Konica Minolta, Inc.
Konica Minolta, Inc. has been working in parallel to promote understanding among management and employees about the nature of DEI promotion since fiscal 2016. We are also working to foster a corporate culture that encourages each employee to accept each other's differences and positively take on challenges.
| 2017-2019 | Lectures for Management |
|---|---|
| 2017-2018 | Diversity Workshops for Department Managers and above |
| 2019-2021 | Workshops for leaders on improving the psychological safety of organizations |
| 2021 | E-learning for all employees on Unconscious Bias |
Create an Environment Where Diversity in Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity is Accepted
Konica Minolta, Inc. is working to create an environment where diversity in sexual orientation and gender identity is accepted. In fiscal 2018, the Company set up a consultation service for those with concerns related to sexual orientation or gender identity, as well as an e-learning program for all employees posted on the Company’s portal site. Furthermore, it is upgrading its facilities and equipment to ensure they are readily available for everyone’s use.
Unified Efforts of the Konica Minolta Group
In fiscal 2022, we launched a new DEI learning program that makes DEI more accessible to each employee and enables them to continue learning. We developed the learning program with DEI promotion managers from Group companies, who brought their knowledge and experience to help organize and systematize the topics needed to create action-oriented training. We designed the learning to help employees efficiently gain DEI-related skills essential for working at the Konica Minolta Group and for self-improvement.
We distributed an English version of the basic program throughout the Konica Minolta Group and are also translating it for China, Vietnam, and other countries. In Japan, we created original content with videos to help improve psychological safety and eliminate unconscious bias. Both the videos and the Japanese version of the basic DEI learning program are mandatory courses, and more than 10,000 employees across all Group companies in Japan have already completed them. Currently, we are promoting this course to those who have not yet taken it, especially new employees.
Activities that Welcome Differences (strengthen awareness-raising activities)
Unified Awareness-Raising Activities at the Konica Minolta Group
Since fiscal 2017, Konica Minolta has worked to promote an understanding of DEI among Group company employees in Japan by regularly sharing interviews with executives and role models, and examples of the positive in-house promotion of DEI via its internal portal site, and by implementing Company-wide programs. Since 2021, DEI promotion staff from Europe, the United States, and Japan have gathered to plan and hold global programs three times a year to promote unified activities across the Konica Minolta Group, including overseas. At the same time as the global programs, the Company also holds programs for Japan to encourage more employees to participate in DEI promotion.
The programs in March are held on themes related to International Women's Day, and in June on themes aligned with Pride Month. The theme for November is different each time.
*June is recognized around the world as “Pride Month” to promote awareness of LGBTQ+ rights, and numerous events are held in various locations.
| Month Held | Theme | No. of Participants |
|---|---|---|
| June 2021 | RETHINK EMPOWERMENT Unlock the Power of Diversity with Authenticity and Allyship |
Approx. 550 (held globally) Approx. 100 (held in Japan) |
| November 2021 | RETHINK OUR WORKPLACE WITH YOUR VOICE (employee engagement theme) | Approx. 800 (held globally) Approx. 180 (held in Japan) |
| June 2022 | RETHINK EMPOWERMENT Promoting Awareness, Inclusion, and Allyship |
Approx. 340 (held globally) Approx. 150 (held in Japan) |
| November 2022 | TALKING ABOUT RACE: Why It Still Matters in the Workplace (race theme) | Approx. 250 (held globally) |
| June 2023 | PROUD VOICES: Fostering Belonging in the Workplace | Approx. 320 participants (held globally) Approx. 170 participants (held in Japan) |
| November 2023 | DISABILITY INCLUSION: Opening the world of work for everyone (disability theme) | Approx. 320 participants (held globally) Approx. 340 participants (held in Japan) |
June 2024
Global: PROUD VOICES: How Diverse Thinking Links to Business Success
Based on the theme "PROUD VOICES: How Diverse Thinking Links to Business Success," the Company learned about why diverse perspectives are necessary for business and what is important for each employee, the Company, and its organizations through the experiences of guest speakers. Approximately 270 people from 17 countries participated.
November 2024
Global: Sustainability/ESG in Action
Japan: Building the strongest team through teamwork!
Globally, the Company held a panel discussion titled "Sustainability/ESG in Action" with guests from inside and outside the Company, which began with an opening speech by the CEO. Approximately 310 people from 35 countries participated and learned about the importance of sustainability management and ESG for society and Konica Minolta.
In Japan, on the theme of "Building the strongest team through teamwork," a lecture and panel discussion were held with guest speakers and two executive officers to learn about what is important for diverse human resources to work effectively as a team. The hybrid event, held both in-person and online, was attended by approximately 440 people. The Company also held a workshop to experience team-building that leverages individual differences.
Networking Activities in Each Region
Konica Minolta welcomes differences, including those of race, gender, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, religion, and ethnicity, among each and every employee. Therefore, the Company actively pursues activities that foster mutual understanding of these differences. For example, Konica Minolta supports individual employees in taking action through regional "supporter" activities to promote diversity that more closely reflects actual workplace conditions and through cross-cultural exchanges organized by Muslim employees.
LGBTQ+ Network "Vibrant"
“Vibrant” is an employee resource group started in the U.K. in October 2020 that operates under the three basic principles of “wellbeing,” “education,” and “networking.” At its Christmas Social, an online event held at the end of 2021, participants deepened their understanding of LGBTQ+ issues and gained an awareness of the importance of mutual understanding, eliciting feedback from a participant who said, “It has created a safe work environment." The global DEI program in June 2021 was a catalyst for expanding activities to other regions, and the Company is active in promoting exchanges with Europe.
Various Barrier Removal Activities
Prism, an employee resource group focused on neurodiversity and launched in the U.K. in 2023, seeks to foster an inclusive corporate culture, promote innovation through diverse viewpoints, improve employee well-being and engagement, and help acquire and retain talent. When Prism was launched, a “Let's Talk” session was held to raise awareness of the network among employees and promote dialogue. Prism will continue its activities that contribute to inclusive hiring, raise awareness, and further develop partnerships.
