Our approach

We will enhance the workplace environment and strengthen related systems based on our belief that enabling all workers around the world to thrive in a safe, secure and enjoyable working environment and to achieve work-life balance contributes to sustained business growth.

Specific initiatives

• Ensuring safe and hygienic workplace environments
• Paying fair wages
• Promoting health-focused management
• Developing various systems that support work-life balance
• Creating a workplace environment free from harassment　etc.

Examples of Initiatives

Ensuring safe and hygienic workplace environments

The Occupational Health and Safety Committee spearheads our effort to undertake thorough safety management and to create safe and comfortable work environments so that employees can work with peace of mind. As a result of these efforts, the number of accidents at work is extremely low, with commuting incidents accounting for the majority of cases.

Based on the Labor Standard Act, Fire Service Act and Industrial Safety and Health Act, we have formulated Health and Safety Management Regulations that aim to prevent accidents by employees and protect their lives and health, establish a work environment where they can perform their daily tasks with peace of mind, and improve labor efficiency.

Based on these regulations, the Occupational Health and Safety Committee, which meets monthly and is made up of our General Health and Safety Manager, occupational health physicians and employee representatives, strives to maintain and improve employees’ physical and mental health, perform health and safety visits and address any issues rapidly, and improve working conditions. As a result, the rate of accidents at work has remained at an extremely low level. In the past 10 years, there have been no fatal accidents involving regular employees or contract employees.

Paying fair wages

Respect for basic labor rights

We do not currently have an in-house labor union, but we work with representatives of the majority of employees at each workplace to ensure that employees’ voices are heard. Before bringing in any changes that will significantly affect our employees, we hold briefing sessions for all employees and try to build consensus.

Promoting health-focused management

The Yakult Group sees employee health maintenance and improvement as an investment that can enhance profitability in the long run. Viewing these concerns as a management issue, we promote strategic health-focused management and published in September 2017 our Statement on Health. To actively promote health-focused management, we established a dedicated Health Management Promotion Section of the Human Resources Department in fiscal 2020. While encouraging employees to manage their own health, the Group is also proactively engaged in the health maintenance and improvement of its employees. By further boosting everyone’s awareness and keeping them in good health, we aim for continuous and stable business development.

Work-life balance

We define work-life balance as creating pleasant working environments that enable employees to maintain good health, maintain an optimal balance between their work and private lives, make the most of their abilities and feel motivated. At Yakult Honsha, we are moving ahead with efforts to prevent excessive work hours and create pleasant work environments by raising awareness of work-life balance among all employees, including by holding training sessions for newly appointed managers.

Creating a workplace environment free from harassment

Preventing harassment

The Yakult Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct state zero tolerance for any form of harassment, including power harassment and sexual harassment.

Harassment can directly affect the victim’s physical and mental health, as well as reducing workers’ motivation, disturbing order in the workplace, and worsening the working environment. There is also a risk of direct or indirect damage from lawsuits and damage to our corporate image, so we are doing all we can to prevent harassment.

Initiatives to enhance employee engagement

Yakult Honsha conducts regular well-being surveys to monitor employees’ health status and attitudes, assess the effectiveness of various health initiatives, and promote physical and mental well-being and greater workplace satisfaction. In fiscal 2024, the survey covered such topics as individual healthrelated efforts, personal and organizational productivity, and satisfaction with the work environment and job content. Responses were obtained from 2,788 employees, representing a 97% participation rate.