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In 2003, NTT Communications established the Work-Life Committee comprised of representative members of the Company and labor unions, with the aim of developing a satisfying workplace and improving the balance of work and home life for all employees. Since then, various initiatives have been taken directed toward reducing total work hours.
In fiscal 2005, we implemented various measures to improve employee's work-life balance such as establishing standard days of leaving work on time throughout the Company and issuing messages from top management related to work-life balance at regular intervals. Additionally, as a result of considering a reduction in total work hours at each and every employee level, operations have become more efficient through such means as shorter meetings and simplifying internal documents and materials. Total overtime work in fiscal 2005 was considerably reduced by 14% compared with fiscal 2003, resulting in significant progress being made toward reducing total work hours.
Average total overtime work in FY2005 (per employee) : 299 hours
(NTT Communications Corporation)
At NTT Communications, workers' safety is a top priority. Placing a solid emphasis on prevention, concerted efforts include reviewing operating environments and operation manuals and raising awareness of safety issues through case studies, as well as conducting frequent safety inspections.
Additionally, in cases where an accident occurs, we are organizing a system to immediately share information, quickly contact customers as necessary, and notify and warn all employees. The aim of these measures is to prevent the reoccurrence of accidents and ensure work safety.
In fiscal 2005, there were a total of four work-related accidents (occupational accidents and commuting accidents) that occurred at NTT Communications.
■Acquired Certification for Comfortable Workplace Promotion Plan
■Comfortable Workplace Promotion Plan Certificate
NTT World Engineering Marine Corporation (WE Marine) is actively promoting activities to improve safety and develop a comfortable workplace without any work-related accidents in tandem with Japan's Occupational Health and Safety Law and other regulations.
In December 2005, efforts undertaken by WE Marine were recognized, and its main offices in Yokohama and Nagasaki were certified as offices that are carrying out comfortable workplace promotion plans in accordance with a program promoted and accredited by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (prefectural Labor Bureau). Specifically, measures were formulated and the period of implementation was clearly defined for realizing a comfortable workplace in areas that included the work environment (thermal conditions, work space, etc.), work methods (work involving bad posture and heavy lifting, etc.), facilities to support recovery from work fatigue (resting rooms, environmental improvements such as green spaces, etc.), and facilities to support daily life in the workplace (eating areas, changing rooms, etc.).
We will continue to actively promote improvement measures geared toward creating a comfortable work environment.
From the time an employee joins NTT Communications to the time of retirement, we provide various kinds of employee benefits that can be equally used by all employees. For example, in addition to cafeteria plans that enable employees to freely choose from various menu options according to their lifestyle, we also support employees in managing their life through training and counseling. In fiscal 2005, the percentage of NTT Communication employees using our cafeteria plans was 99%. Additionally, we offer various health management programs and support systems, including carrying out mental health training and establishing counseling desks internally and externally so that employees can work with a sense of assurance and peace of mind.
■Volunteer Gift Program
NTT Communications is executing a Volunteer Gift Program, which involves donating goods to volunteer activities in which employees are participating. In addition to encouraging employee volunteerism, this program is also conducted for the purpose of supporting NPOs through employees' activities.
Fiscal 2005 marks the seventh time since the program was instituted. During the term, NTT Communications contributed to seven organizations, including the donation of computers to Fujimino International Culture Exchange Center, which provides life support and computer classes for foreign residents in Japan, plus the donation of original uniforms to the Hikobae Local Theatre Education Group, a group comprised of elementary, junior high, and senior high school students who give performances at eldercare and other facilities.
■Donation of personal computers
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■Donation of original uniforms
■Leave System
We are introducing various leave systems to support employees' personal fulfillment through taking part in volunteer activities. The status of use of these systems in fiscal 2005 is indicated in the table on the right.
Leave Systems and Number of Employees Who Used the Systems in FY2005
(NTT Communications Corporation)
| Volunteer leave | 41 persons |
|---|---|
| Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer program leave | None |
| Disaster volunteer leave | None |
As a globally expanding company, NTT Communications considers the resolution of human rights issues, beginning with anti-discrimination, to be vitally important for creating an enriched culture that respects human rights. Accordingly, with the aim of establishing a business structure that prohibits any type of discrimination, we are striving to resolve these issues through our daily business activities.
As a means of "creating a bright and vibrant workplace," various measures are being carried out in our daily business operations with the awareness that all employees and partner employees, including temporary staff, are equal. At the same time, we recognize individuality and diversity together with advocating mutual trust and respect.
■Human Rights Enlightenment Training Held
NTT Communications requires all NTT Communications employees and partner employees to participate in human rights enlightenment training at least once a year. Approximately 15,000 persons participated in fiscal 2005 in this training, which is aimed at preventing problems related to human rights in the workplace from the perspectives of gaining a basic knowledge of human rights issues such as anti-discrimination, thorough measures for not allowing discrimination personally or by others, and management's stance on improving the workplace environment.
Furthermore, approximately 250 persons participate annually in sexual harassment- and power harassment-related training conducted by an outside lecturer. In addition to these training programs, we are enhancing human rights awareness by sending out a monthly e-mail magazine to all employees and partner employees and introducing examples of harassment that are likely to occur in the workplace.
We are also holding annual training for senior executives to study anti-discrimination and other human rights issues.
■ Soliciting Human Rights and Compliance Slogans
We solicit slogans every year for the purpose of developing opportunities to recognize human rights issues and further increase human rights awareness. In fiscal 2005, we concurrently requested slogans related to human rights as well as compliance, in which more than 10,000 slogans were submitted.
In addition to giving awards to employees who applied his or her slogans during Human Rights Week, we also make block calendars and memo pads printed with these slogans and distribute them to all worksites. In this way, we are providing opportunities to think about human rights at all times.
■ Experiential Learning
(Simulated Experience of Being Visually Impaired, Wheelchair Bound and Elderly)
NTT Communications implements a program on an annual basis to deepen understanding for persons with disabilities and the elderly by wearing an eye mask, moving around in a wheelchair, and experiencing conditions associated with old age. This program was held on December 21 in fiscal 2005, in which 19 persons experienced visual impairment by wearing an eye mask and attended a lecture by a guide dog user, along with 14 persons experiencing what it's like to be wheelchair bound and aging.
Many comments were received from participants connected to respecting basic human rights. These included: "I experienced a condition that I have never realized before and now understand a little about how people with visual impairments feel;""The way I perceive persons with disabilities has changed by actually moving around in a wheelchair in addition to experiencing the movements of elderly people;""I realized that steps, which I normally don't take any notice of, are actually a major impediment;"and "I would like to take the initiative to support people with disabilities from now on.
■Simulated experience of being visually impaired
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■Simulated experience of being elderly
"Gaining Valuable Experience through New Discoveries"
Yuji Mori
Corporate Planning Department
I participated in the experiential learning program to experience walking wearing an eye mask. Participants separated into groups of two and went for a walk in a public street. One person wears an eye mask and holds a walking stick in one hand and his or her partner's arm with the other hand.
As I walked in the city, all senses except for my sense of sight became extremely sensitive toward comprehending the surrounding conditions.
I was frightened of the whizzing sound and cool brush of the air as people or bicycles passed by, while I felt warm air on the side where my partner stood. I felt secure by the warmth of my partner's body temperature.
It was a valuable experience in the sense that it made me realize that volunteers who help visually impaired persons take walks and guide dogs are not only physically supporting persons with disabilities but also providing mental support.
