The group is expanding its presence in various regions and so employs people of a range of nationalities. Benesse Corporation mainly recruits and trains personnel in East Asia to meet the needs of its growing educational services business, while Berlitz Corporation recruits and trains in over 70 countries (including franchise operations).
 

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN DOMESTIC AND OVERSEAS EDUCATION BUSINESS DOMEINS(FY2019 4Q)

Consumer-oriented perspectives are crucial to the Benesse Group's businesses, such as the education and childcare business and senior/nursing care business. Thus, all human resources, regardless of their gender, are required to make the most of their individual strengths to perform high-value-added work.

At Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., female workers represent 74% of all employees. Many of these women are working as heads of nursing homes and childcare facilities. The company believes that helping staff to enhance their capabilities and encouraging them to remain active in their various job roles and working assignments, contributes to customer's peace of mind and helps to improve the services they receive. For this reason, Benesse Style Care has bolstered its childcare support, which includes a childcare allowance to support full-time regular employees who have children in childcare centers, a reduction in work hours to help look after children until they reach the 3rd grade in elementary school, and efforts to improve the management abilities of those in administrative positions.

Benesse Corporation has a history of more than 25 years working to promote the active roles for women in the workplace. Through various changes over the years, the company has developed systems to support these efforts together with employees. Benesse Corporation seeks to put the main emphasis on career support based on a well-managed professional and personal life, with initiatives going beyond merely helping employees to balance their work and childcare or nursing care duties. The company also aims to rigorously implement work-life management initiatives as a personnel measure not just for women, but for all employees.

Arrangements for employment of people with disabilities in the Benesse Group

Initiatives undertaken by Benesse Business Mate

Benesse Business Mate was established as a special-purpose subsidiary in 2005 to promote employment of people with disabilities by Benesse Corporation, Benesse Style Care, and other group companies.
It was joined in 2016 by Benesse Socius, which was established as a Type A ongoing employment support business, creating further employment within the group.

Certification as a "disability-friendly employer" (Benesse Business Mate)

Benesse Business Mate was certified as a "disability-friendly employer" on March 29, 2018.
This certification scheme is run by the Japan Association of Employers of Persons with Severe Disabilities (Zenjukyo) on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

In order to be certified as a disability-friendly employer, a company must meet the following conditions:

• It must take active steps to provide working conditions to retain and support people with disabilities.
• It must actively and continuously promote employment of people with disabilities.
• It must be a trustworthy, good corporate citizen with whom people with disabilities can play active roles.

Companies are examined to determine whether they meet these conditions, and 21 companies around Japan have so far been certified. Benesse Business Mate will continue to promote the expansion of employment and retainment of people with disabilities within the group.