Human Rights
Human Rights Policy
The NSSOL Group regards “the realization of a society where diverse talents can play vital and active roles” as one of our material issues, respects the human rights of anyone linked to our business activities, and promotes efforts to respect human rights group-wide, to fulfill our social responsibility.
Based on this policy, we ensure each and every director, officer, and employee of the entire NSSOL Group have a deep understanding of human rights to raise their awareness of human rights. We also ask all our related business partners for their understanding and cooperation with this policy, to proceed together with efforts to respect human rights throughout the supply chain.
- We respect internationally recognized human rights as stipulated in the “International Bill of Human Rights” and the “ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.” We also support, and work to implement, the UN “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.”
- We comply with the laws and regulations applicable to the countries and regions where we operate our business activities. Further, if there is any conflict between the internationally recognized human rights and the laws of any country or region, we make efforts to respect the internationally recognized human rights standards as much as possible.
- We develop and implement a system for human rights due diligence in accordance with the UN “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights”. In the light of its results, we continuously improve our efforts to respect human rights.
- If it is found that any of the NSSOL Group’s business activities has caused, or has contributed to, adverse human rights impacts, we work to remedy the situation. Further, we ensure that the reporting system is actively used, victims are provided remediation, and the disadvantageous treatment of whistleblowers and victims is prohibited.
- In order to disseminate this policy within the NSSOL Group and implement it through our business activities, we promote education and awareness-raising activities regarding this policy to ensure increased awareness of human rights among each and every employee.
- For our efforts to respect human rights, we make use of human rights expertise from independent external organizations, proceed with timely and appropriate disclosure, and promote proactive communication with internal and external stakeholders.
Human Rights Due Diligence
Since 2022, the NSSOL Group has been conducting human rights due diligence in accordance with its human rights policy in order to take responsibility for assessing, identifying, preventing, mitigating, and addressing adverse human rights impacts of its business activities.
Risk assessment, the first stage of due diligence, provides a bird's-eye view of the entire supply chain through desk research and prioritizes the risks to be addressed, and we are proceeding with our efforts in stages.
Initiatives to Raise Awareness of Human Rights
Based on our Human Rights Policy, we provide an e-learning program on compliance once a year, targeting all executives and employees, including directors, officers, and managers. Through this program, we review the Global Code of Business Conduct, which serves as the code of conduct and decision criteria for our executives and employees, and educate participants with the aim of eliminating harassments and other conducts that violate human rights.
Major e-learning content
- Eliminating long working hours including compliance with the Article 36 Agreement (overtime work agreement)
- Eliminating workplace bullying and sexual harassment (including prevention of privacy invasion through excessive interference with personal matters, and content based on our policy of zero tolerance of discrimination and harassment related to SOGI)
- Eliminating harassment related to pregnancy, childbirth, childcare or family care leave, etc.
To promote diversity and inclusion, we have established a dedicated organization (Work Style Reform and D&I Group) under the human resources department. We have also created systems and an environment designed to eliminate restrictions and concerns that tend to arise concerning women, childcare, mid-career hires, non-Japanese nationals, seniors, disabilities, LGBTQ, etc. These efforts are aimed at building a corporate culture that facilitates understanding and cooperation among colleagues, and an environment where every employee can fully demonstrate their capabilities.
Major diversity and inclusion measures
- Diversity management training for managers, LGBTQ training for all employees
- Training to develop next-generation women leaders and follow-up mentoring
- Consultation desk set up for balancing childcare, family care, etc. with work
- Creating various systems and a supportive environment (65-year mandatory retirement age system, workplace environment that accommodates religious practices, application of various systems to same-sex partners and their families*, application of leave for gender-affirming surgery, etc.)
- Special subsidiary company established to promote the employment of people with disabilities
- *Systems related to leave, allowances, and transfers for spouses and their families
Actions to Protect Human Rights
Establishing and Operating a Helpline
Using our compliance helpline, we accepts reports from whistleblowers and requests for consultation concerning human rights violations such as harassment from anyone who performs work for our Group and their families, and their privacy is protected by anonymity unless approved by the individual. When dealing with individual cases of whistleblowing and consultation, we provide guidance and education to those involved, upon obtaining external advice from attorneys and professional organizations, and find an appropriate solution.
My Jinken Declaration
We also support the “My Jinken (Human Rights) Declaration” project*1 promoted by the Ministry of Justice, and have announced the My Jinken Declaration. We operate our organization with respect for the human dignity of each individual in accordance with the Global Code of Business Conduct*2 established in April 2015, and strongly promote work practice reform*3,*4 to create a workplace in which everyone can work with enthusiasm. Through this Declaration, we will deepen our understanding of the importance of respect for human rights.
We will continue to contribute to creating a sustainable society in which everyone respects human rights with each other.
- (*1) My Jinken Declaration: Jinken Library
“My Jinken Declaration” project promoted by the Ministry of Justice, together with the establishment of the Action Plan for “Business and Human Rights” (2020-2025)” (NAP), is an initiative aiming at the realization of a society in which everyone respects human rights with each other by having corporations, groups, and individuals declare that they will act in a manner that respects human rights. - (*2) Our Global Code of Business Conduct
- (*3) Our human capital management