BAT Vietnam strives to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion

Nowadays, diversity and inclusion are gradually becoming one of the core policies and values of enterprises to ensure that each individual is accepted and integrated culturally and socially in the workplace regardless of their different backgrounds, education, perspectives...

First, one of the key strategies to consider is integrating diversity and inclusion into business goals and measures of corporate success.

Typically, at BAT Vietnam, “Truly Inclusive” is one of six core values that guide all business activities and employee behavior.

Accordingly, the company encourages diversity and respects differences by building a diverse workforce, eliminating prejudices and fostering a sense of belonging, while always being open to learning and ensuring the right to express each individual's thoughts. The company also encourages constructive debate for mutual progress.

BAT Vietnam focuses on organizing sharing and learning sessions.

BAT Vietnam has achieved 45% female management by the end of 2023. The company also implemented the “Mastering Inclusion” training program with 100% management participation, focusing on important topics such as Embracing Inclusion, Authenticity at Work, Awareness of Bias, Understanding Privilege, and Conscious Decision Making.

A management team that understands and supports diversity and inclusion sets an example across the organization. This can have a positive impact on employee motivation, collaboration, satisfaction, and engagement.

In addition, BAT Vietnam also openly shares the company's business strategies, encourages employees to develop new ideas to contribute to the company's business performance through the annual company-wide "Line of Sight" Conference, departmental workshops held throughout the year; or with the Simplification Digital Platform to help record new ideas on simplification, automation, digitalization, process improvement... of all employees.

The company also regularly listens to employee feedback through many internal surveys, typically the Your Voice survey... Events promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion are also carried out by BAT Vietnam, such as Cultural Diversity Day, International Women's Day, Health Day, International Men's Day...

Second, a diversity and inclusion strategy can go further in respecting and supporting the career development needs of individuals at different stages of their lives.

BAT Vietnam is one of six pilot markets within the BAT Group to implement this strategy. In 2023, the company piloted and conducted 50 life stage conversations for employees in Vietnam, helping to better understand the priorities of each employee at different stages of their life.

BAT Vietnam respects and supports employees' career goals and personal life goals.

Thanks to this strategy, BAT Vietnam has supported young talents who want to expand their careers internationally, while also seeking international learning and working opportunities right in Vietnam for those who do not need to move far from the country's territory.

Third, in addition to internal activities, businesses can promote diversity and inclusion by supporting disadvantaged individuals and families to achieve better livelihoods and living conditions.

As at BAT Vietnam, the program "Empowering Women" in collaboration with the Women's Union of Duc Hue district, Long An province, provided 40 poor women in the border area with interest-free capital to develop their family economy.

In addition, the Women's Union also coordinated with the Agricultural Extension Officers to transfer science and technology on crops and livestock to borrowers and cooperatives. The Union also mobilized 40 households to register for loans and not participate in trading, business, or storing smuggled cigarettes and not to assist those who participate in these illegal activities in any form.

Supporting disadvantaged households is also an activity that contributes to enhancing diversity and inclusion in society of BAT Vietnam.

During the recent Lunar New Year, BAT Vietnam visited and gave gifts to 50 disadvantaged households in Ward 8, Long Binh Ward, Dong Nai .

The gifts not only support households with practical products but also ensure clean water for people's daily activities. This is one of BAT Vietnam's efforts to promote water management commitment in the communities where the business is operating.

My An

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