[Employees] The Key to Hitachi's Future

Diversity: A Base for the Healthy Expression of Individuality

Hitachi believes that people are our most important resource, and therefore we respect individuality and embrace diverse values to let employees harness their abilities as well as build on the synergistic benefits that this base creates. We pursue a range of activities that promote diversity, and aim to capitalize on the proven increased effectiveness of diverse teams in the achievement of business goals.

Work-Life Balance and Support for the Career Advancement of Women

Since 2000, Hitachi has hired more female employees and expanded assistance for child and nursing care. We encourage and assist female employees with their career development and support the balancing of the demands at work and home. In 2006, we launched the Diversity Promotion Project, reporting directly to the President and CEO, and began building a workplace where everyone can fully apply their skills.
One outcome of the Diversity Promotion Project was the promotion of more women into management positions, and as a result, by the end of fiscal 2007, Hitachi, Ltd. had 276 female managers—almost a fourfold increase from fiscal 2000. While the percentage increase is large, the number of female managers needs to continuously grow. We also explored ways to develop a workplace that empowers women who are mothers and are raising children. In essence, we have embarked on a quest to create energetic and fulfilling workplaces for all employees, both male and female.

Achieving a True Work-Life Balance: Participation in the Work-Life Balance Project

One important element of Hitachi's management strategy is to nurture our organizational growth by encouraging the individual growth of our employees, who all have unique and varied life experiences. We are therefore actively engaged in helping our employees achieve a good worklife balance.
It was with this in mind that Hitachi decided to participate in the Work-Life Balance Project which was launched by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2008.

Promoting the Employment of the Physically Challenged

As of June 2007, 2,981 physically challenged people were employed by the Hitachi Group. Workplace improvements have been made so that they are able to apply their skills to the maximum. Having the physically challenged work with other employees builds mutual understanding and a wider acceptance of diversity.
While the ratio of people with physical challenges has risen to 2.11 percent of the workforce at Hitachi, Ltd., it averages 1.76 percent at Group companies in Japan—lower than the legally mandated ratio. So, Hitachi will continue to hold joint interviews and consultations, striving to create more employment opportunities for the physically challenged.

Trend in the Employment Ratio for Physically Challenged People

Employing Retirees (Japan)

To be a company that employees find appealing and worth working for, Hitachi chooses people with deep experience, technical expertise, and skill. All Group companies have adopted a “life plan selection framework,” designed to re-employ people aged 60 who want to continue working, and are suited to company-designated positions.

Securing the Health and Safety of Employees

At Hitachi, ensuring the safety and health of employees is a top priority. We strive to maintain high health and safety standards and to make continuous improvements.

Worker Health and Safety

After many years ensuring health and safety, Hitachi has accumulated much knowledge and experience on management, education, maintenance, and the environment. It is now possible to apply the Group's “safety and hygiene knowledge” every day.
For health management, we help employees maintain good health. Employees that work extended overtime, for example, are interviewed and examined by company physicians and given guidance.

Maxell Hokuriku Seiki Earns the Prime Minister's Commendations on Contributors to Public Safety

In July 2007, the Yatsuo Plant in Toyama Prefecture (Japan) owned by Maxell Hokuriku Seiki, Ltd., a member of the Hitachi Maxell Group, received one of the Prime Minister's Commendations on Contributors to Public Safety to recognize outstanding industrial safety, including an accident-free record since startup. The Yatsuo Plant began operating in March 1981 to make videotapes and other magnetic recording media. As of June 2007, it had achieved a record 26 years and three months accident free—a cumulative 6.2 million operating hours. Labor and management have united to promote safe, healthy working conditions.

Trends in the Occupational Accident Rate

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