Japan Tobacco International (JTI), a leading international tobacco and vaping company in the Philippines, received EY’s Global Equality Standard (GES) certificate after garnering the highest assessment scores on its several initiatives including culture of equal opportunities, flexible working measures, and global family leave policy, among others.
In a statement, JTI said that the certificate was awarded to all three JTI entities in the Philippines, including its nationwide market operations’ head office in Taguig City; its global business services center in Metro Manila; and its manufacturing facility in Malvar, Batangas.
“We are delighted to have received EY’s GES certification for equality, diversity and inclusion excellence in our Philippine operations, and to be the first in the country to receive such an accreditation,” JTI Philippines People and Culture Director Ari Wisnubroto said.
EY’s GES is one of the first worldwide Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) certifications and provides an in-depth diagnostic of all aspects of DEI, including measuring equal opportunities in the workplace.
“It was a meticulous and robust assessment process for JTI, and we are very proud to be recognized for the level of ambition and commitment we have shown to advance DEI on a truly national scale across our three entities,” he added.
Wisnubroto also emphasized the importance of DEI in JTI Philippines’ operations, stating that while GES certification does not guarantee its work, regular audits, and policy evolution are crucial for benchmarking and meeting the needs of its more than 4,500 employees across the country.
Earlier this year, JTI was also awarded as the Top 2 Employer in the Philippines by the global authority on recognizing excellence in People Practices, the Top Employers Institute.
EY’s GES report commended JTI Philippines for several of its corporate initiatives, including its full compliance on equal opportunities, which is embedded in the culture of the organization, and its flexible working measures, which, among other key benefits, give employees the option to work 50 percent of their time away from the office.
The company was also recognized for its progressive global family leave policy, enabling employees across the country holding eligible positions to benefit from 20 weeks fully-paid leave when welcoming a child, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation or the way they become parents.
Similarly, JTI was lauded for its focus on career progression through the likes of mentorship programs; and recruiting for underrepresented groups and having a balanced assessment and interview process.
In addition, EY recognized its innovative DEI "Bright Start" program that supports individuals from socially disadvantaged communities by giving them the opportunity to attain a college degree while simultaneously earning a salary and developing their careers at JTI.
Its "Drive Ahead" program, aimed at enrolling female employees in driving school who are interested in a career in the field so that they can acquire a professional driving license that is required for a field force role, was also commended.
Lastly, JTI’s market-leading approach to its wellbeing initiatives, including a strong focus on mental health was also highlighted.
The GES framework is universal and increasingly being applied internationally by world leading brands, having been used in over 50 countries and across 5 continents to date.
The assessment is a challenging process and requires evidence of comprehensive practices that protect and promote a level playing field for all employees, creating a safe haven of equality which is free from all forms of discrimination.
The national accreditation for JTI in the Philippines follows on from the company’s global certification in 2021, where it became one of the first multinational companies in the world to receive the GES.