People Sphere
Equitable employment practices, safe workplaces, social protection, and continuous learning are fundamental working conditions that not only propels businesses toward economic growth but also underscores their commitment to prioritizing the well-being of their workforce, preparing individuals for meaningful employment by enhancing their skills and capabilities, and cultivating a positive and secure working environment.
Embracing the philosophy of 'One for all, All for one', we collaboratively bring to life millions of vehicles each day through our products and a commitment to excellence in all aspects of our operations. Our three spirits (Fortitude, Foresight and Service Mind) give our Human Resources teams the framework for an operative and strategic approach on how to support the achievement of our vision and mission.
3 Spheres
In the following sections we address initiatives that contribute to each area.
Key facts
Our people: decent work, training and development
With a vision to lead in Electrical and Electronics Distribution Systems, Y-EMEA is adapting to the evolving demands of the automotive industry by actively nurturing a culture of sustainability and resilience. In Business Year 2023, our workforce stands at 48,231 employees, strategically distributed across: Europe (35%), Middle East (16%), North Africa (49%).
Current trends in the automotive industry, such as the shift to electric vehicles and digitalization, demand a workforce skilled in new technologies. To meet these needs sustainably, Y-EMEA emphasizes a balanced employment model, with 36,806 employees on permanent contracts (76%) and 11,425 on temporary contracts (24%), all working full-time. This structure provides stability for our employees while offering the flexibility to adapt to market changes.
Talent attraction and retention
Our talent management approach is geared towards nurturing both new and existing talent through a holistic model that includes skill development, career growth, and opportunities for advancement.
In 2024, we implemented a strengthened internal hiring policy to prioritize the promotion of our own people. This policy encourages employees to explore new roles within the organization, providing avenues for growth and career development that align with Yazaki’s commitment to nurturing internal talent. By filling open positions with internal candidates whenever possible, we not only retain valuable institutional knowledge but also increase employee engagement and motivation.
Talent initiative
Talent Development is the key component of the Y-EMEA Talent Initiative, emphasizing employee learning and continuous growth through individual development plans. The initiative includes various activities such as:
- Talent Connect, facilitating interactions with C-level and Functional Heads for shared development experiences;
- Talent Learning, providing insight into diverse topics to broaden strategic understanding;
- Mentoring partnerships, where senior leaders impart their experience to talents; and
- Corporate Citizenship, enabling talents to participate in local social projects as a means of contributing to society.
No poverty and reduced inequalities
Respecting and managing human rights risks in operations and the supply chain is crucial for business success. By adhering to international human rights norms, Y-EMEA not only upholds its moral responsibility but also mitigates potential legal, financial, and reputational risks. It fosters a positive workplace culture and enhances stakeholders’ trust. Prioritizing human rights aligns with responsible corporate practices and ensures operational resilience.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At Yazaki, we believe that creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is essential for both the wellbeing of our employees and the overall success of our business. We are committed to ensuring equal treatment and opportunities for all, fostering an environment where each individual is respected, valued, and provided the resources and support needed to thrive. By doing so, we aim to have a positive impact on society and the environment while mitigating risks and embracing opportunities related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Human rights
Yazaki Group is operating a human rights due diligence system for all aspects of human rights, such as prevention of child labor and forced labor. Specifically, each of Yazaki Group's locations conducts an annual assessment of human rights-related risks and inspection of the status of mechanisms in place to reduce these risks and the appropriateness of business operations. The results of these assessments and inspections are reported to the Internal Control Committee established in each region, which deliberates the appropriateness and sufficiency of risk responses and corrective measures and monitors the status of responses. In FY 2023, following the previous financial year, human rights risk assessments were conducted in each region. The results of the risk assessment, along with identified risks and corresponding countermeasures, were reported to the Regional Internal Control Committee, where monitoring activities were also carried out.
Y-EMEA is working to integrate its human rights due diligence framework with existing risk management activities to enhance their comprehensiveness and effectiveness. This integration ensures that the human rights due diligence process aligns with the requirements of applicable laws and regulations. In FY 2023, the human rights due diligence questionnaire has been amended with additional questions, based on continuous improvement activities within Yazaki, and has been implemented at 33 locations in 19 countries under Y-EMEA revealing no specific violations related to modern slavery and human trafficking.
Community Engagement
Yazaki recognizes that our operations can impact the communities in which we operate. We are committed to respecting the rights of these communities, contributing to their development and wellbeing, and minimizing any potential negative effects.
Yazaki acts green
Please see some examples from our operations.
Social Initiatives
Croatia, Morocco, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine: Blood donation events to support regional hospitals.
Ukraine: Support of orphanages with beds, mattresses, diapers, and specialized equipment. Psychological support is also provided to help the children recover from traumatic experiences.
Poland: Traditional support of a children’s home with Christmas gifts (toys, sports equipment, sweets and more.
Green Activities
Bulgaria: Celebration of International Day of the Forest and Earth Day, with green space cleaning and tree and flower planting activities.
Italy: Financial support to install free water dispensers and to distribute reusable aluminum bottles in elementary and middle schools, aiming to reduce plastic usage.
Tunisia: Celebration of National Tree Day, with tree planting, educational activities on plant care and soil protection.
Education
Croatia: 4-week internships for engineering students.
Romania: Donation of school supplies for 30 students in the preparatory and first grades.
Serbia: Participation in the annual Šabac job fair, presenting workplaces and job opportunities.
Gender equality. Good health and well-being
Y-EMEA is committed to implementing an inclusive policy that respects and promotes gender diversity, ensuring equal opportunities for all employees. This dedication not only enhances our organizational culture and employee satisfaction but also boosts our reputation as an Employer of Choice for a diverse workforce. Ultimately, this approach contributes to a more dynamic, innovative, and socially responsible workplace.
Our commitment to equal employment opportunities encompasses adherence to "equal pay" principles, provision of fair working conditions, and locally relevant employee benefits. To ensure a consistent understanding of roles and responsibilities of different positions inside Yazaki, we are currently upgrading the existing job architecture to have an analytical job evaluation method established across all countries in Y-EMEA. This will enable us to have an even more advanced market benchmarking established, which allows structural adjustments to ensure equal treatments (e.g. for gender pay gap analysis). This project will enable us to scope with the requirements from the EU Directive on pay transparency according to defined deadlines.
Yazaki acts green
Please see some examples from our operations.
Care & Share Initiative in Y-EMEA
The Care & Share program across Y-EMEA, providing sanitary products in workplace restrooms, has reached 17 Y-EMEA locations across 12 countries. Starting with company-sponsored setups, the initiative encourages women to contribute, fostering a sense of community and mutual support.
The Chaabana Event in Morocco
Yazaki Meknes and Kenitra in Morocco celebrated the Chaabana event with a focus on women’s resilience. Special attention was given to expectant mothers, with doctor consultations provided.
StrongHER initiative empowers Yazaki women
Y-EMEA launched the StrongHER initiative to empower women by enhancing skills, confidence, and career development. This program provides a platform for accelerated growth, fostering diverse perspectives and mutual support among participants.
