Sumitomo Corporation has been named in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) “Top Hundred Telework Pioneers.”

In November 2018, Sumitomo Corporation introduced a telework system as part of its workstyle reform, and has been focusing on promoting new workstyles. In recognition of these efforts, we were named in the MIC “Top Hundred Telework Pioneers” for 2019. Through the “Top Hundred Telework Pioneers,” MIC recognizes the companies and organizations with sufficient achievements who are advancing the introduction and utilization of telework.

The HR strategy in our medium-term management plan is based on the concept of “Diversity & Inclusion – Making Diverse Strengths a Source of Competitiveness” To fulfill this objective, we introduced a telework system and a super-flex system after the relocation of our head office in the fall of 2018 to create an environment that enables diverse individuals to exert their full potential.

In principle, the telework system allows all employees to work in three different ways: (1) work from home, (2) work at a satellite office, and (3) mobile work. The super-flex system does away with the core times that were previously defined and allows employees to choose their working hours with greater flexibility.