Education and Training
Approach
Epson provides various types of education and training to ensure that its processes for respecting human rights function effectively, including for directors, management-level employees, procurement workers, general employees, and the supply chain. (Guiding Principle 16(d)) In particular, Epson communicates its policy and approach to respect for human rights to its supply chain through seminars on respect for human rights, as well as through meetings for introducing the procurement policy , briefings on supplier guidelines, and other opportunities.
Concrete Actions
Education for Epson Group Employees
For some time now, Epson has been promoting awareness of the RBA Code of Conduct and its detailed rules, mainly among relevant departments and personnel engaged in human resources, health and safety, environment, ethics, supply chain management, and other operations within the company in Japan and overseas. In FY 2021, on the occasion of the revision of the Epson Group Human Rights Policy, Epson once again provided training on "business and human rights" to directors, the members of the departments in charge of related functions at Seiko Epson's head office and related personnel, mainly from the human resources departments of domestic and overseas affiliated companies. In FY2022, e-learning training was conducted for all officers, regular employees, contract workers, dispatch workers, etc. of Seiko Epson and its affiliates in Japan, with the aim of raising awareness of respect for human rights and preventing human rights violations, through learning the basics of "business and human rights," which are essential for conducting business, and Epson’s efforts to respect human rights. As of the end of September 2023, 87.9% of officers regular employees, contract workers, dispatch workers, etc. participated in the training.
In FY2023, this training on "business and human rights" was conducted as an online course at seven major overseas affiliate companies (manufacturing and sales), with managers and above as the main participants. The participation rate was 92.7% as of the end of June 2024 and is scheduled to be implemented at all overseas affiliates in FY2024.
Seminars and Briefings for Suppliers
In addition to explanations and expectations regarding social demands and the RBA (Responsible Business Alliance) requirements at the supplier briefings on CSR procurement, we also hold seminars and information sessions for the purpose of gaining a better understanding of the details. A large number of suppliers have participated. Epson also conducts surveys of suppliers to ascertain their needs, which are reflected in the seminars and briefings.
Epson believes that it is important for suppliers to voluntarily engage in CSR initiatives based on an understanding of the underlying objectives, without making the activities themselves an objective. In particular, based on the recognition that human rights require focused efforts, Epson conducts seminars every year by asking outside consultants and experts to serve as lecturers to provide professional information in light of ever-changing social demands.
In FY2023, following the revision of the RBA Code of Conduct and Epson's Supplier Guidelines, we held a briefing session, which was attended by more than 1,000 suppliers and helped them understand Epson's procurement policy and the purpose and changes of the RBA Code of Conduct.
Human Rights Training for Security Personnel
Seiko epson outsource security services to third-party companies, and we ask these companies to provide human rights training. In the detailed CSR evaluation based on the self-assessment for suppliers conducted in FY2024, we confirmed the implementation of human rights training by our subcontractors.