Respecting Diversity

TOPICS Actively recruiting female management staff

Since gaining its first female manager in 2006, Citizen Seimitsu Co., Ltd. has continued to recruit female managers to this day, with female now accounting for 9% of all section chiefs (as of February 2011). A key factor behind the active recruitment of female managers at Citizen Seimitsu Co., Ltd. was a cost-cutting campaign implemented as a part of activities under the KGC20 medium-term management plan which ran from fiscal 2004 to fiscal 2006. A specially-assigned team known as Soleil CR, which was made up entirely of female staff, was instrumental in these efforts. The companywide cost-cutting activities led by Soleil CR produced tremendous results and greatly contributed to achievement of the medium-term management plan at the time. This led to the companywide affirmation that women should play an active role in an unrestrained manner, and the mood of expectation continued to grow. At the same time, the personnel system also underwent reform, adopting a structure with a simplified qualification and grading system that allowed for merit-based promotion. One of the key members of Soleil CR was appointed as the first female manager at Citizen Seimitsu Co., Ltd.
Thereafter, Oasis, another specially assigned team made up exclusively of women has been active in promoting improved manners. In addition, we have seen an increasingly upbeat mood towards the active recruitment of female managers, with many female employees challenging promotion exams.

TOPICS Honored by Yamanashi Prefectural Mental Health Association

Fujimi Company, a subsidiary of Citizen Seimitsu, received an award from Yamanashi Prefectural Mental Health Association in November 2010 for its initiative in employing workers with disabilities. On the occasion of boosting production traditionally outsourced to homeworkers in May 2005, Fujimi accepted five mentally disabled workers as trainees. At first, there was difficulty in choosing suitable duties, setting up the working environment, and facilitating exchange. Over time, however, all adapted well to perform their assignments. In December 2006, the subsidiary was registered as a business cooperative in the social adjustment training program. Some trainees continue to work three years after their training. During fiscal 2010, two trainees were accepted. Fujimi will continue to offer social participation support to workers with disabilities.

TOPICS Enabling smooth communication

At Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd., we implement a range of initiatives aimed at creating an environment in which employees with a disability can work safely and enabling smooth communication. In the case of hearing impaired employees for instance, we facilitate communication through workplace initiatives such as distributing manuals outlining commonly used sign language and installing lamps for the purpose of call signals. Such initiatives have helped improve motivation amongst employees with disabilities and raised awareness within the workplace.
Citizen Electronics employee Akira Osano has represented Yamanashi prefecture at the National Disabled Games on three consecutive occasions and won gold medals in two field events at the 2010 games, with distances of 14.87m in the shot put and 4.26m in the long jump.