Empowering Employees of LGBTQ+ Communities

To acquire knowledge about LGBTQ+ issues and to foster an organizational culture in which LGBTQ+ employees can thrive, we have continued the mandatory e-learning course “LGBTQ+ basic knowledge” for all employees of the Kao Group in Japan since 2018. In 2023, the content was partially updated and a recording was added to the learning method to provide learning opportunities to those who have not yet taken the course, including new employees.

An anonymous voluntary questionnaire was provided to all employees of the Kao Group in Japan to ascertain their level of understanding of basic LGBTQ+ matters and internal issues. More than 7,000 employees provided their opinions on internal initiatives through free comments in addition to optional questions. We will use this information to improve the work environment so that all employees can work together with vitality and enthusiasm.

We conducted training for approximately 5,000 beauty advisors engaged in customer service in stores. After a lecture on basic knowledge about LGBTQ+ issues and a video of interviews with LGBTQ+ people in the company, group discussions among beauty advisors provided an opportunity to deepen our understanding of LGBTQ+ as something close to us through exposure to each other’s way of thinking. By applying the perspectives and insights gained from this training to future customer service activities and communication within the workplace, we are striving to provide better customer service as beauty advisors who will work closely with all customers and deliver satisfaction to them.

We are continuing recruitment for LGBTQ+ Allies^*1 .
Employees who make an Ally declaration are issued with special straps that they are encouraged to wear.

With the aim of promoting a more inclusive and respectful workplace environment, Americas has launched Transgender 101 training within the Supply Chain team to enhance awareness and understanding of transgender issues, fostering a culture of empathy and support. As a result, participants reported increased knowledge, improved communication, and a more inclusive atmosphere, contributing to a positive and welcoming workplace for everyone.

Kao Pride hosted an event featuring a drag queen as a speaker to promote diverse voices in the LGBTQ+ community and foster a culture of inclusion. The powerful message resonated with participants and promoted acceptance and unity in the spirit of Pride.

The LGBTQIA+ All Stars Community^*4 hosted speaker events during Pride Month in June, and spaces in Molton Brown stores and the Kao Salon Academies in London, Milan, and Rome were decorated to celebrate the event. In Italy, the community participated in Pride Celebrations in Milan and Rome, and hosted Pride Celebrations at the Kao office in London.

We disseminate knowledge to hiring interviewers about appropriate responses so that they can conduct hiring and selection processes without any discrimination even if LGBTQ+ people come out in the interviews.

To create an environment where diversity is respected and everyone can demonstrate their individuality and fully demonstrate their motivation and abilities, employee representatives and the Human Capital Division deepened discussions on how the system should be designed to create a workplace environment where LGBTQ+ employees can work with peace of mind.