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Kao Selected as a Health and Productivity Management Brand for the Sixth Consecutive Year
Also Recognized as a Certified Health and Productivity Management Organization under the Large Enterprise Category (White 500) for the fourth Consecutive Year
Kao Corporation was selected by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), for the sixth consecutive year, as a "health and productivity management brand" among listed companies in recognition of its outstanding health-conscious management. Kao was also recognized by METI, for the fourth consecutive year, as a Certified Health and Productivity Management Organization (White 500) for its outstanding practice of health-conscious management.
The program for selecting health and productivity management brands was launched in 2015 through joint cooperation between METI and TSE as part of the activities of the Japan Revitalization Strategy. The program recognizes companies that set the management of employee health as a corporate management issue and actively implement relevant strategies.
White 500 was jointly established by METI and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi in 2017 to recognize large organizations, including listed companies, that practice the health and productivity management in collaboration with health insurance society members and other associations.
Kao's activities
Based on the Kao Group Health Declaration established in 2008, Kao is engaged in health management toward achievement of K20, the Kao Group Mid-Term Plan. In the Kao GENKI Project, which combines internal health care expertise and visualization technologies, Kao also offers some services in its health solutions program for external use by other companies and communities in promoting health. In addition, one of the 19 Kao Actions set forth in Kao's ESG strategy established in April 2019, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan, is "Employee Wellbeing & Safety."
To promote health management throughout the Kao Group, health administration staff and persons with responsibility for health administration are assigned to each business location and branch office and coordinate with industrial health staff. To help establish a habit of walking, Hoco Touch pedometers are given to employees to measure their steps, and walking courses have been set up within business locations. Employees are also encouraged to wear sneakers during their commute. All business locations also provide Smart Washoku® (healthy Japanese dishes) at their employee cafeterias, and Smart Washoku seminars are held as well.
Kao is also focusing on streamlining work hours and increasing the rate of employees taking vacation time, resulting in the average number of annual paid vacation days taken rising from 12 days in fiscal 2015 to 15 days in fiscal 2018.
The Kao Group will continue striving to expand its business and provide better products and services to consumers and society by integrating ESG perspectives into management. Moreover, by conducting ESG activities unique to Kao globally, Kao will make contributions to realizing the wholehearted satisfaction and enrichment of the lives of people around the world and the sustainability of society.
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* "Health and Productivity Management" is a registered trademark of the Workshop for the Management of Health on Company and Employee.
About Kao
Kao creates high-value-added products that enrich the lives of consumers around the world. Through its portfolio of over 20 leading brands such as Attack, Bioré, Goldwell, Jergens, John Frieda, Kanebo, Laurier, Merries and Molton Brown, Kao is part of the everyday lives of people in Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe. Combined with its chemical division, which contributes to a wide range of industries, Kao generates about 1,500 billion yen in annual sales. Kao employs about 33,000 people worldwide and has 130 years of history in innovation. Please visit the Kao Group website for updated information.
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