In 2019, Recruit started to provide a shorter 20-minute e-learning course focusing on essential learnings to all of its employees. The content is designed to promote understanding by incorporating the voices of LGBTQ+ people and case studies together with essential knowledge. The participation rate for this e-learning course was over 80%, and the degree of understanding as measured by a post-course assessment was almost 100%. The company also launched a campaign to send LGBTQ+ ally*5 goods to attendees who requested them on the final screen of this e-learning course. Other initiatives include the launch of a one-stop information website where employees can learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and access workshops and seminars for better understanding.
Ally goods key holders. By sending a set of two key chains, one for the applicant and another for someone else, the company encourages the action of increasing allies.
These efforts contributed to raising the level of understanding of diverse genders and sexualities, but we were still unable to reach the point where we felt everyone could freely express their gender identities. Koichi Shimazaki from the DEI Promotion Office said, "Now we need to go one step further and take LGBTQ+ inclusion as everyone’s initiative. There are still some people who take the perspective “I could learn about the LGBTQ+ community through the e-learning course, but there are no such people in my department.” We first need to make everyone aware that people within the LGBTQ+ community are part of our team, even though team members may not be aware of this. The fact that not many people accept it and act differently is another issue," emphasizing the importance of changing the minds of employees.
*5 Ally: A person who thinks about what kind of feelings LGBTQ+ people have and acts accordingly. Anyone can be an ally.
According to a survey conducted within Recruit in 2022, LGBTQ+ employees still conceal their gender identity and sexual orientation on a daily basis, and about 30% of them have encountered unfortunate experiences related to being LGBTQ+, even in their daily work. To counteract this, the company created both in-house communication and e-learning courses around the concept of "SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity)*6", which embraces the diverse gender and sexual orientations of all people. Yuta Oishi, who leads LGBTQ+ related initiatives, explained, "SOGI is a concept that applies to everyone. We want all employees to understand that all SOGIs are respected at Recruit." Koichi added, "Since Recruit is a company where everybody shares the value of respecting each individual, we should respect our LGBTQ+ colleagues, too. However, there are still some cases where people are unknowingly making others' lives difficult. Everyone should learn about SOGI well enough to be able to influence those around you."
In August 2023, Recruit plans to launch a new e-learning program that will allow its employees to learn more around SOGI-related communication at work. Going forward, Recruit will focus on eliminating negative experiences related to diverse genders and sexualities within the company, and ensuring psychological safety in workplaces where members of the LGBTQ+ community can make their own decisions about coming out. We will strengthen our efforts to create an environment where everyone is respected and all can shine as they are.
*6 SOGI stands for sexual orientation and gender identity. It's an inclusive concept that applies to everyone, expressing gender identity (how you identify your gender) and sexual orientation (to whom you are sexually attracted).
Koichi Shimazaki
Support Promotion Group, DEI Promotion Department, DEI Promotion Office, HR, Staff Management Division, Recruit Co., Ltd.
Koichi joined Recruit in 2014 in ad sales for marriage information magazine Zexy at Recruit Marketing Partners. In 2022, he transferred to the DEI Promotion Office and currently leads the DEI Support Promotion Group.
Yuta Oishi
Support Promotion Group, DEI Promotion Department, DEI Promotion Office, HR, Staff Management Division, Recruit Co., Ltd.
Yuta joined Recruit in 2010 in procurement for printing information magazines. In 2023, he joined the DEI Promotion department and leads the team that is responsible for LGBTQ+ initiatives.