The current page isHome > in Our Company > in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) > in Hitachi Construction Machinery Group Compnay CSR Report 2009 > in Employee discussion > Page.
Employee discussion
Aiming for workplaces that facilitate work
The task of creating workplaces that are easy to work in begins with listening to employees' opinions. So, we decided to listen in to Hitachi Construction Machinery employees talking about how they feel when they are working.
First of all, what is your impression of the working mood at Hitachi Construction Machinery?
Sudo : It's very frank, with good communications. People respect other people's personalities - weaknesses included - as well as their opinions.
Sato : I agree. My boss gets angry when I make a mistake, but at the same time he gives me positive advice such as "You should enjoy working," which motivates me to work harder.
Hori : When a subordinate makes a mistake, her boss thinks there must be an issue requiring improvement in the management. When I see that my boss does not only complain about my mistakes, I know I must work with good faith.
Uchibori : A long time ago, when I made a simple mistake, my boss apologized to the relevant people on my behalf. At that time, I resolved never to make such a mistake again.
Sudo : There is always somebody who notices a person who has reached a deadlock, and helps the person to find a way to move forward. This is the work atmosphere in the company.
Masato Sato
Technical Support Department, Customer Support Division
Having entered the company in 1999 and worked as a systems engineer, he now provides technical support for the Asia and Oceania area.
Respecting personalities may mean that each person bears a heavy responsibility. Is that right?
Sudo : Detailed work procedures are not written in any manual. Only the outlines of the work are determined. It is up to individuals to decide how to get on with the job. Some people are very busy.
Hori : We engineers have common targets, but we decide how to do things ourselves. Many engineers have an artisan spirit, a love of work; so, they work hard. Some people are in a tight spot and have to choose between work or family.
Sato : At the office where I used to work in Malaysia, everybody left the office without doing overtime work. I was impressed by their lifestyle. Everybody should live like that. We should leave work when we want to, but that's hard here in Japan.
Sudo : More and more managers are thinking that overtime is bad. After work, I want to talk with my colleagues about topics other than work.
Natsuko Hori
Researcher at the Technical Research Center
Hired in 2001, she conducts vibration strength analyses, on-the-platform tests, and simulations of new products.
Talking about welfare, what do you think about Hitachi Construction Machinery's benefit programs?
Hori : They are quite good, but some parts could be improved. For instance, female employees who want to marry and have children in the future are worried that it may be difficult for them to continue to work at this company unless they have parents living nearby. These women would feel better if there was a nursery at the company.
Sato : The company offers maternity leave. I wish this leave could be better, such as allowing employees to return to work even after an absence of many years.
Uchibori : Before, when an employee couple got married, the female employee used to resign. This has completely changed. It would be nice if employees who leave the company to take care of their newborn children are allowed to return to the company in the future.
Sudo : The career development scheme is substantial, but it would be nice if employees were allowed to have work conditions that suit their private circumstances, such as employment in a specific location.
Yumiko Uchibori
Internal Auditing Office
After joining the company in 1991, she was assigned to the General Affairs Department. She has worked as a secretary to upper management and now assists associated companies with auditing. She is a mother of two.
Hori : Talking about the current career development scheme, anybody can be promoted to manager but some people are better at specialist work rather than management work. The scheme should be more flexible.
Uchibori : I have two children, so I am using the shorter working hours scheme. My boss and colleagues are cooperative, and I've not had any bad experience. Although I receive less pay, I now have more time, which is more important to me than money.
Hori : Many employees do not know about these schemes, so I want the company to hold explanatory meetings.
Sato : I didn't know about this scheme. It sounds good.
Uchibori : At the head office, more and more people are using this scheme, which makes me feel better about it. I'm going to tell more people about the scheme.
Sudo : On the other hand, the company offers very good training and the outsourced teachers assigned to do the training are also good. The president says that although it is a harsh time for business, he stresses the importance of training. I agree with his way of thinking.
Hori : It's true that the training is substantial. We can choose the training we want and we are allowed to participate in Hitachi Ltd.'s training programs without any problem.
Sudo : I am an assistant manager at the moment. I was told to attend a section manager training program offered by the Hitachi Group. I felt as if I was being invited to see things from the viewpoint of a managerial position one step up from my own. This is another example of good communications.
We are nearing the end of this talk, so, finally, please let us hear what you like about Hitachi Construction Machinery and what you expect from the company.
Sudo : Everybody's serious about their work. Nobody's half-hearted. In this respect, I want the company to remain as it is.
Hori : I believe the present atmosphere and good faith of Hitachi Construction Machinery is the strength of the company. I don't want the company to adopt a heartless attitude.
Uchibori : There are many kind and friendly people in the firm: that's why I can still work here. I want this to go on.
Sato : I've worked at many offices and had many bosses. I feel that all of the bosses think about me in a sincere way, although they might not say so directly. In Hitachi Construction Machinery, everybody supports you.
Thank you very much.
Yusuke Sudo
Sales & Marketing Department, Japan Business Division
Having entered the company in 2000, he provides sales support to branches and sales offices. He is a father of two.
