Stand a chance to win up to US$20,000 in cash! If you know any projects that have embodied the values of DEI by having diverse talents or initiatives, you can nominate them and/or submit an entry for your very own project for IYGA2022!
Hi, I am Tang Chay Wee. I’m the COO (Chief Operating Officer) of Hitachi Asia Ltd. and I am also the DEI Regional Leader for Southeast Asia and I am here to answer some of your DEI questions.
Are you surprised to be a non-Japanese top executive in a Japanese conglomerate?
- I was very surprised when they first approached me in 2012 but Hitachi has been engaging in DEI activities for more than 20 years.
- Apart from being the COO of Hitachi Asia Ltd., I also hold a few directorships in some of our group companies as well.
What is DEI?
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
- A place where people are welcomed who are treated equitably and who feel included.
What is Equity?
- Addressing the needs of individual employees based on their own unique circumstances.
- If a colleague with physical disabilities needs help to access the workplace, we need to provide the resources required to ensure that our colleague can do that efficiently.
- Some colleagues may need to send their child to school or their parents to the hospital.
- By providing flexible hours, they can come at a more comfortable timing and perform their duties more efficiently.
- We need to adjust to individual needs so that everyone will be heard, respected, and included as Hitachi is the place for everyone.
Why is DEI important?
- It’s just the right thing to do!
- DEI helps us to better engage and understand customers’ issues and society’s challenges.
- It empowers our colleagues to feel more engaged and connected as One Big Hitachi Family.
- Brings everybody together and attracts the best people to join us as an organisation that embraces diversity is stronger than a homogenous one.
What is Hitachi doing to improve DEI?
- Hitachi has been engaging in DEI activities behind the scenes.
- We are working towards a more balanced of representation of genders and nationalities and cultures in executive positions.
- We have more female and non-Japanese executives than before taking up key positions and having heavier responsibilities, just like myself.
What can the rest of us do to improve DEI?
- We want everybody to play a part in this DEI journey starting from home
- Let’s be inclusive by considering individual differences. We must recognise our colleagues for their contributions and their competencies, not by their age, gender or nationality.
- When we embrace diversity, we can come together as a team to solve real social issues and customers’ challenges. And that is powering good.
What are some other ways we can promote DEI?
- No better way than telling your own stories about DEI.
- For IYGA2022, we will be awarding a Special Recognition Award to projects that have successfully show the true values of DEI by having different types of talents or initiatives.
- Submit your activities and inspire other colleagues to join you in your DEI initiatives.
- Did I mention that you can win attractive cash prizes? I won that twice!
- Submit your IYGA entries at this link: https://www.hitachi.asia/IYGA/downloads.html
