Utilization of diverse human resources

Preparing fields and opportunities with a focus on diversity

The SUGI Pharmacy Group will make serious efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion (mutual acceptance and recognition of differences as strengths).

• Introduction of a program to allow employees to choose to live and work away from home

  In FY 2022, we introduced a program to allow employees who can work remotely to choose either to combine business trips with remote working or to live and work away from home (CHOISE*). This program helps employees realize diverse work styles that are not constrained by time and place or their family relationships, which have previously been restricted by living and working away from home, promoting the retention and development of competent human resources.
  *Stands for Choose from Home or Office as Ideal Sugi Employment.

• Work arrangements in anticipation of the era of 100-year life

  We have extended the mandatory retirement age to 65 for full-time employees and 70 for contract employees and partner employees. In addition, we have made it possible for those who are 70 to 75 years old to work as senior partner employees on reduced working hours in consideration of their physical strengths and heath conditions.

• SUGI Smile’s efforts

  We have in-house job coaches and career counselors providing operational guidance and daily support to employees with disabilities working nationwide. In stores, these employees are responsible for patrol cleaning and displaying merchandise, while at the head office, they sort mail, clean, and ship products to support distribution.

  Percentage of employees with disabilities

  (FY 2024 SUGI Pharmacy Group)

  3.07%

  

• Increasing the ratio of female managers

  Developing services to address the needs of diverse customers and patients based on the ideas and perspectives of diverse people, including female employees, is indispensable for the sustainable growth of the SUGI Pharmacy Group. Therefore, we are strengthening our efforts for human resource development and improvement of the workplace environment so as to increase the ratio of female managers to 30% by the end of FY 2029. Regarding human resource development, we train employees to obtain and practice the skills needed to discover and resolve essential challenges, communication and leadership skills, knowledge of products, specialized and managerial knowledge, and technical skills. Regarding the improvement of the workplace environment, we focus on improving the benefits package and encouraging each employee to present their opinions to the Company, thereby reinforcing support for employees, while promoting workstyle reform aiming to provide a more fulfilling work-life balance.

  

  Future initiatives toward women’s empowerment

  • Strengthen activities to recruit women
  • Correct the gender gap in wages
  • Expand the scope of employment for women
  • Provide awareness training for managerial promotion
  • Strengthen promotion to full-time employee
  • Create an environment that makes it easier to take parenting leave

  

• Enhancement of maternity leave, parental leave, and reduced work hour program

  We have introduced various support programs concerning pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, aiming to create a workplace environment in which employees can balance work and childcare.

  

  In addition to enhancing maternity and parental leave policies, we have introduced reduced work hours for childcare in order to make work more manageable for employees after returning to work. In April 2024, we extended the reduced work hour program from the end of the child’s sixth grade year to the end of the child’s ninth grade year. This creates a workplace environment that makes it easier for employees to return to work after parental leave and makes work more manageable. In order to support further empowerment of women, we also focus on increasing the percentage of male employees who take parental leave.

• Certified as a Platinum Kurumin company

  SUGI Pharmacy has been certified as a Platinum Kurumin business operator. This certification is granted to general employers who conform to the designated standards regarding parental support.

  

  

Support programs that accommodate diversity