Systems to Promote Work Style Design

My Golden Week System

As a measure to facilitate the taking of leave, Onward Kashiyama introduced the My Golden Week System in March 2020 that encourages employees to take 10 consecutive days of leave.

As taking several consecutive days of leave would be impracticable if the way of doing work were unchanged, this system urges people to "Review the workstyle to take My Golden Week." Conditions (linkage with related sections, thorough notification, clarification of follow-up personnel and follow-up points, etc.) were set as a result of several discussions at Kaeru Kaigi meetings to ensure that all members of each team can enjoy the benefits of the My Golden Week System fairly and equally.

In the first year since the launch of the My Golden Week System, the usage rate was 39.4%, but it has contributed to an increase in the number of days of leave taken. The average number of days of leave taken increased by five days for the Company as a whole. In the case of managerial personnel, the impact was evident as the average number of days of leave taken increased by 18 days.

Everyone enjoyed leave in their own way by, for example, going on a trip, spending time with their family or learning something new.

Working from Home System

In order to realize diverse workstyles, Onward Kashiyama introduced a working from home system in March 2020. The Company provided notebook PCs and smartphones to all office workers to help them create their own working environments. When a state of emergency was declared in April, the Company was able to smoothly shift to working from home. The ratio of working from home was 73.2% in April 2020 and 74.0% in May 2020.

Moreover, the Company introduced an e-application and approval system to replace the previous paper-based process for applications and approvals requiring printing out of forms and affixing of seals by a superior to signify approval. As a result of the introduction of this system that enables completion of the entire process online, approval has been expedited and data for operations throughout Japan are now shared in a timely way.

Second Job System

In July 2022, we introduced a "Second Job System" because learning new knowledge and skills leads to career development for employees.

The system also introduces second job projects within the Group, thereby contributing to exchange of human resources between Group companies.

Influencer System

In May 2022, we established the "Influencer System" to support new workstyles for fashion stylists (sales staff) who transcend the boundaries between stores and online business. Influencers receive a monthly allowance.

In addition to face-to-face customer service in stores, influencers create new customer value through customer services taking advantage of social media and online business.

Work Interval System

In September 2022, we introduced the "Work Interval System" to maintain and improve the health of employees and increase their productivity.

The system operates in conjunction with the shift selection system, an attendance system that allows individuals to choose their own working hours from among 13 types of shifts to ensure they have 11 hours before the start of work the next day, depending on the time they finished work on the previous day.

Reduction of overtime and facilitation of taking of leave

Work Style Design initiatives resulted in a reduction in overtime and a rise in the number of days of leave taken.