Advancing the Success of Employees with Disabilities
The Sony Group is committed to diversity as one of its key sustainability initiatives based on Sony's Purpose, "Fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology" and on Sony's People Philosophy. We are creating a workplace where each employee can play an active role and work comfortably.
The diverse individuals who gather at Sony, regardless of whether they have disabilities or not, are unique individuals, and we are working to enable them to play a wide range of roles while developing and utilizing each other’s talents at Sony. By bringing together employees from different backgrounds and experiences, diverse perspectives and ideas emerge. This diversity enables the company to offer suitable products and services to a wider range of customers and contribute to society. Such interactions are essential for creating new value and continuing to inspire the world.
Embracing the Founder’s Vision: Cultivating an Environment Where All Can Thrive, Regardless of Disability
As co-founder Masaru Ibuka once said, "Create workplaces that do not offer charity, but rather create an environment that makes it possible for individuals with disabilities to manufacture products that exceed those manufactured by individuals without disabilities*2." This reflects the top management's commitment to promoting a working environment and practices that allow every employee, regardless of disability, to thrive and contribute effectively. We continue to uphold this spirit by providing guidance aimed at improving awareness and creating an inclusive environment for career development, regardless of disability. We focus on permeating employment know-how in the workplace, leading to expanded employment opportunities across companies.
- *2: Based on the approach of Ibuka that, although there are people without disabilities, no one is healthy all the time.
Sony Group Initiatives Across Countries and Regions
In its operations as a global enterprise, the Sony Group promotes unique initiatives tailored to the culture of each country, region, and company.
Japan
Creating an Inclusive Environment from Hiring to Career Development
The Sony Group in Japan is creating inclusive workplace environments where a disability is no impediment to building a career, and is working with employees with disabilities to check building accessibility with the aim of ensuring a comfortable workplace environment for all. In addition to active recruitment efforts on an individual company level, 14 Sony Group companies participated in the annual job fair, which included company information sessions and individual interviews. This was an opportunity for job seekers to engage directly with Sony Group companies, get an overview of individual companies and the type of work they engage in, and hear details about the approach taken to supporting employees with disabilities on a group and company level. As a part of efforts for the next generation, we work with external vendors with disabilities on events for university students, especially in their first and second years, to provide opportunities for people both with and without disabilities to dream of big goals for the future.
Scenary of the event for University Students
United States
Deepen Employee Understanding via External Collaborations and Awareness Training
Sony Corporation of America works with external organizations, such as Disability:IN, which focuses on disability inclusive endeavors in business, to provide education that supports employees with disabilities. Sony Music Publishing US includes accessibility and disability awareness training in their e-learning for new hires. Additionally, Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) partners with organizations such as Easterseals Disability Film Challenge to provide opportunities to further diversity efforts through workshops that include disability and accessibility awareness.
Scene of workshop at SPE
Europe
Conducting Training to Raise Awareness of Accessibility and Disabilities
SPE includes accessibility and disability awareness training in their e-learning for employees to further their diversity efforts. Sony Music Entertainment UK is also a member of The Valuable 500, a World Economic Forum initiative focusing on inclusion of people with disabilities to encourage action from both managers and companies
Training at SPE
China
Advancing Support for the Future of People with Disabilities
Sony China hold events through a variety of programs at 10 affiliated companies within the country to provide opportunities to consider diversity. They also go beyond simply providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities; they also extend their care and support through practical courses that help university students with disabilities adapt to their future life as a working adult. As a result of these efforts, a proposal from affiliated university won the internal President's Award at the Inspire Innovation Sony China competition.
Scene of IISC
Diverse Initiatives
Sony is actively engaged in creating an environment and organizational culture. Here are some examples of these measures in Japan.
Promoting Employment for People with Disabilities ahead of the Legislation of the Special Subsidiary System
Even before there was societal focus on considerations and employment for individuals with disabilities, Sony established fields where everyone, regardless of disability, can showcase their skills and thrive. Sony/Taiyo Corporation was established in 1978, before the special subsidiary system was legislated to promote and stabilize the employment of people with disabilities. We are extending our accumulated know-how on employing people with disabilities to the entire Sony Group. Currently, three special subsidiaries, namely Sony Kibou/Hikari Corporation, which expands employment opportunities to people with intellectual and mental disabilities, and Sony Life Business Partners Co., Ltd., which handles administrative tasks for Sony Life Insurance Company, are expanding their efforts to create an inclusive environment throughout the Group. The special subsidiaries of the Sony Group serve as an independent business entity, collaborating with other offices and companies to create a rewarding work environment that pursues consideration for all employees. Each initiative carried out through these operations contributes to the employment of individuals with disabilities within the group. To foster an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, guidance is provided to enhance acceptance and raise employee awareness, ensuring that employment practices and knowledge are effectively promoted throughout the workplace and leading to increased hiring across companies.
