As part of our efforts to create a worker-friendly environment for a diverse range of employees, we have established systems and structures such as the work-from-home system, the flextime system, and satellite offices that could help reduce the burden of commuting.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, employees whose jobs could be done remotely switched to working from home as a general rule, and, in response to the emergency, we made working hours more flexible and loosened core times for flextime. As a result, we were able to achieve a rate of 90% of employees working from home as of April 30, 2020. In addition, even after the emergency declaration was lifted, we took thorough prevention measures and, as of September 30, 2020, have maintained the physical rate of employees coming into their workplaces below 50%. We are also considering how to use this pandemic experience to realize new workstyles in the post-pandemic era. Furthermore, to promote new workstyles, we formulated guidelines for online communication and meetings, creating a framework that enables employees to work with more flexibility.
As for the management of working hours, we use the work management system to appropriately grasp the actual working conditions of employees and to regularly raise their awareness of working hours, aiming to increase productivity. In fiscal 2019, overtime work hours increased due to the temporary increase in workload resulting from the management integration. Through efforts to improve workplace culture and engagement, we aim to ensure employees achieve a work-life balance by improving work efficiency and productivity.
