Promoting Active Participation in Sales Positions

Sales Manager Training Subcommittee

Since we started the active employment of women in sales positions in 2005, Sekisui House has been implementing a range of policies and programs, such as training and getting established. As of August 1, 2021, there were 397 female sales staff active throughout Sekisui House (non-consolidated) . With the range of years and the tasks having become more diversified, we work with the staff in charge of training in each Sales Administration Headquarters to continue implementing more tailored initiatives that enable women to leverage their career and skills for things like support for training Sales Managers, support for training young employees, and work-life balance support.

Female Sales Staff Promotion Committee

Highly motivated and independent female sales staff who have achieved a certain level of success are selected as Female Sales Staff Promotion Committee members. The Committee works with staff in charge of training in each Sales Administration Headquarters to hold training for female sales staff; these training sessions incorporate feedback from the field, and are held in each area several times a year. The Committee also carries out other activities, such as sharing success stories from across the company.

Support for Training Sales Managers

“Lead management training,” held three times a year for the Sales Managers and future Sales Manager candidates in each area and taught by an outside instructor, provides an opportunity to raise Sales Managers’ awareness. The target is to appoint at least one female Sales Manager at each of the Sales Administration Headquarter, or 18 in total. (There are 16 female Sales Managers in 13 Sales Administration Headquarters out of 18 as of August 1, 2021, including condominium sales leaders.)

Support for Training Young Employees

The Female Sales Staff Promotion Committee launched the mentoring system as one of support measures in August 2019, with the objective of appointing more women to managerial positions. It offers one-on-one and group support from mentors on a range of issues, including personal relations, communication, women-specific concerns, and other advice on daily life issues outside of work. Female employees also have the peace of mind of being able to freely talk with their mentor about issues they find difficult to discuss with their superiors and senior branch colleagues. If the consultation outcome is that more concrete measures are required, the issue will be handled by other areas in the company, such as the Diversity and Inclusion Promotion Department, staff in charge of training in each Sales Administration Headquarters, and consultation services in specialty departments. Each individual’s circumstances and feelings are sincerely considered, and all efforts are made to come up with and to promote flexible measures to address the issues.

Promoting Active Participation in Technical Positions

Technical positions for women cover a broad range of activities, including product development, design proposal, and site management. Through the “Promotion Committee for the Active Participation of Women in Technical Positions,” we are organizing Sekisui House worksites nationwide and accelerating female career development in this area.

Management and Specialist Training

Every year at Sekisui House there are more female leaders in managerial positions, such as design chief managers and team leaders. There are also more specialists emerging each year, such as the certified Chief Architects who must have outstanding qualities, made significant achievements, and earned a high level of trust inside and outside the Company.

20 Chief Architects

Designers of custom detached houses and apartments, with advanced design and negotiation skills and who have earned a high level of satisfaction and trust from customers

5 Platinum Specialists

Designers of senior citizens’ homes and welfare facilities, with sophisticated expertise and skills, and a considerable number of notable achievements

5 Structural Planning Specialists

Designers with highly safe and rational structural design capabilities and expert knowledge and skills on design standards, structural planning, and ground survey and diagnosis, etc.

7 Chief Constructors

Site supervisors who practice advanced work implementation skills such as general construction management and on-site supervision, and who have earned a high level of satisfaction and trust from customers

As of April 2021

Expanding the Range of Positions

Sekisui House headquarters and head offices nationwide are working together through the “Female On-site Supervisor Support Program” to facilitate training for female on-site supervisors. We are also providing support by sharing success stories of balancing work with raising children, and holding workshops, networking opportunities and other activities for deepening knowledge and gaining insights.

Striving to Create Comfortable Workplaces for Women

There are already many women working in various positions at Sekisui House Group construction sites. We are committed to making these workplaces more female friendly, so the increasing number of women at construction sites can work there safely and comfortably. This includes designing and using special tools and lightweight helmets for women, and installing temporary female toilets. Sekisui House is also taking extra steps to ensure the safety and comfort of pregnant women working on site.

Temporary Orihime Toilets for women and children

An engineering employee maternity uniform

Companywide Women’s On-Site Supervisor Meeting

Sekisui House holds a meet-and-greet event for female on-site supervisors to network. This event is an excellent opportunity for employees to share success stories and experiences, expand their networks, and boost motivation. This initiative, open to both women and men, is growing as an online opinion exchange for young on-site supervisors who joined the company at the same time.

J-Komachi Committee: Pioneering On-site Improvements

Sekisui House is a participating member of the National Low-Rise Housing Labor Safety Council’s “J-Komachi Committee.” As a cross-company network of female technicians and engineers, the Committee aims to improve workplaces and promote the appeal of the construction industry to the next generation.

J-Komachi Committee

Raising Awareness of Superiors

Sekisui House has been continuously holding lectures on Diversity Management in the training for all management levels. We are also proactively working on strengthening our systems and initiatives to support diversity, such as by raising the awareness of superiors and setting up programs and systems in the company. These include reassessing fixed gender roles and assigning work to support autonomous career development, as well as establishing support systems for employees who are raising young children.

Workstyle Innovation for Work-life Balance, and Building Cooperative Systems

Self Autonomy

  • Adapting to flexible working styles, and taking responsibility for one’s own contributions
  • Planning long-term growth
    (Foster self development, encourage acquiring qualifications, etc.)

Raising Awareness of Superiors

  • Applying the expertise and proficiency of employees raising young children

  • Not dividing labor by gender roles

  • Having dialogue with individuals, considering approaches to work

Support Systems & Programs

  • Running career development training programs

  • Support systems and programs for balancing work with childcare, nursing care and medical treatment
    (Nursery School Hunting Concierge, Partnership Slide, shorter working hours, etc.)

  • Working from home, etc.

Cooperative Systems in Families and Society

  • Dividing housework and childcare between the husband and wife

  • Respecting each other’s career

  • Using external services
    (Housekeeping services, temporary childcare, etc.)