Diversity and Inclusion

As expressed in our slogan “Love the Differences,” we recognize and respect each other in all the ways that make us unique, such as gender, age, and nationality, as well as ways of thinking, to realize the corporate philosophy of Shiseido. We work on creating new value by promoting diversity and inclusion at the workplace.

Shiseido sees gender equality as a management strategy to enhance employees' vitality and improve results. We support the active participation of women to enhance corporate trust in employees, who are major stakeholders.

In Japan, we have promoted changes in the awareness and behavior of all employees to strengthen the development of female employees for more than 15 years. As the first step of this initiative, we opened in-house nurseries and subsidized childcare fees. In addition, we established paid leave programs, including a nursing care leave system for children, for employees to flexibly balance work and childcare. At the same time, we began reviewing how employees work to achieve work-life balance – a Company-wide initiative to correct long hours which keep women from more active roles. In 2020, we launched the "Shiseido Hybrid Work Style" suited to lifestyles since the spread of the novel coronavirus, and have been recommending work styles that allows employees to combine remote and in-office work flexibly according to their purpose to maximize efficiency.

In 2020, 1,370 Shiseido Group employees in Japan (including 67 men) took childcare leave, and the retention rate after returning to work was 94.1%. For those returning to work after childbirth, the Company also provided welcome-back seminars to ease anxiety about balancing childcare and work (26 participants). Since 2020, we have started the “Speak Jam” mentoring program, in which female executives and female employees have direct dialogue (38 participants).

Currently, Shiseido operates two in-house childcare facilities: Kangaroom Shiodome (Minato-ku, Tokyo) and Kangaroom Kakegawa (Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture). These nurseries accept a certain number of children of employees from nearby companies and neighboring residents in addition to children of Shiseido employees. In 2017, we established KODOMOLOGY Co., Ltd. within the Shiseido Group, which is responsible for the operation and consulting of in-house childcare facilities. Building on the results we have achieved, through supporting the active participation of our female employees, we contribute to the realization of a society in which employees in the child-rearing period can play an active role.

In Europe, “SHEseido,” a program to empower female employees, has been held since 2017. In 2019, 20 talented employees from eight facilities gathered at the EMEA Headquarters (located in France) to strengthen their networks through various activities, including opinion exchange on leadership and career development.

As a result of initiatives to foster female leaders, the ratio of female leaders of the Shiseido Group in Japan increased to 34.7% (as of January 2021), and the ratio of women on the Board of Directors increased to 46.2% (as of March 2021). The ratio of female leaders at overseas facilities (Asia Pacific, Americas, China, Europe, and Travel Retail) exceeds 60%. Going forward, we aim to raise the ratio of female leaders to 50% in all six regions including Japan as a true representation.

We focus intensively on cultivating a company culture in which diverse employees play active roles while demonstrating their skills and proactively building their careers.

Shiseido is working on creating an environment and raising awareness so that every employee can be themselves at work by eliminating discrimination and harassment due to gender identity and sexual orientation.

In Japan, from 2017, the Rules of Employment stipulate equal treatment, including employee benefits, for employees with same-sex and opposite-sex partners. In addition, the Human Resources Department works to promoteg understanding of LGBT rights and issues among employees. In 2017, we were certified Gold, the highest grade, by “Work with Pride”, an organization that evaluates companies' LGBT support efforts. In 2020, we supported the Business for Marriage Equality, a campaign to promote equal marriage (legalization of same-sex marriage).

Shiseido participates in Tokyo Rainbow Pride, Japan's biggest LGBT supporting event where volunteer employees provide makeup advice and sampling. We also provide makeup advice to those who have undergone gender reassignment surgery. Online, we promote diversity support activities in collaboration with local governments and other companies. Eight thousand beauty consultants working in stores have also taken training to leverage knowledge and better serve and support LGBT persons.

Shiseido has become more active in employing human resources with diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds overseas facilities and in Japan. In order to connect the diversification of human resources to value creation, we have promoted English as our official in-house language in Japan since 2018. Persons with wide-ranging backgrounds are now assigned to various sections and departments in the Company. For non-Japanese nationals hired by Headquarters, the Company conforms to Japanʼs immigration control systems, especially related to resident status requirements, and treats them appropriately based on relevant Rules of Employment.

Shiseido has introduced a system to re-hire experienced employees after they reach the retirement age of the Company (age 60) since 2006, so that they can continue to work as long as they have the motivation and ability to do so. In 2021, the system was revised and name changed to the EL Partners Advanced System to enhance responsibilities and reemployment conditions. In anticipation of the advent of the 100-year life era, we have changed the system so that employees who are highly motivated to grow and contribute to the Company even after retirement can play an active role regardless of age.

The Shiseido Group in Japan employs fixed-term employees based on labor-related laws and regulations and provides appropriate treatment with various social insurance and holidays stipulated by the law according to employment regulations and various other regulations. For fixed-term employees of five years or more at the Company, we switch their employment contract to an indefinite-term contract upon request in accordance with the law established in 2018.

Temporary employees work at the Shiseido Group in Japan according to the Worker Dispatch Law. With regard to the employment of temporary employees at the Shiseido Group, we implement various measures such as concluding agreements with employment agencies, development and management of registers, and appointment of personnel in charge of management, all of which is based on the Worker Dispatch Law policy related to measures that should be established regarding employment agencies and other relevant laws and regulations. Shiseido continuously and appropriately responds to amendments in or reinterpretations of respective laws and regulations.