Newsletter COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 Pandemic

Toshiba Group in India Continues to Take Care of Employees and Communities during COVID-19 Pandemic

ISSUE 9: October 2020 - The COVID-19 pandemic is casting a long shadow over countries worldwide and has quickly moved beyond being a health crisis alone. Fears it has sparked of an impending economic crisis are rippling through all aspects of our lives. The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the vulnerabilities of people and societies, and calls for a strong response based on solidarity, co-operation and responsibility.

In India, where COVID-19 cases have crossed the 7-million mark (as on October 12, 2020) and continue to increase, it is of the utmost importance that individuals and organizations act responsibly to tackle the problem, while ensuring that critical work continues.

Mr. Tomohiko Okada Managing Director Toshiba India Pvt. Ltd.

Toshiba has stood side-by-side with India and its people since the onset of the outbreak. Toshiba Group companies in India continue to take measures to ensure employee safety, and business continuity to sustain society. With their employees, they continue to extend support to the community, pursuant to Toshiba’s basic commitment, ‘Committed to people, Committed to the Future’

Mr. Tomohiko Okada, Managing Director, Toshiba India Pvt. Ltd. said, "Toshiba Group is responding to the coronavirus pandemic with measures that prioritize the safety of our employees and their families, and of our customers and business partners. We continue to monitor the situation in India and to follow Indian government guidance and instructions, while doing all we can to ensure business continuity. Pursuant to our basic commitment "Committed to People, Committed to the Future", Toshiba group companies in India have donated approximately INR 2.28 crores during the current crisis, towards the fight against the pandemic, as well as other CSR activities approved by the Government of India. Even during these testing times, Toshiba is moving forward with positivity, compassion, and empathy and is continually adjusting its approaches to keep all its employees safe and healthy."

The monetary contributions Toshiba Group has pledged towards fighting the virus include voluntary salary contributions by employees and contributions from Group companies: Toshiba India Pvt. Ltd. (TIPL), Toshiba JSW Power Systems Pvt. Ltd. (TJPS), Toshiba Transmission & Distribution Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TTDI), Toshiba Software India Pvt. Ltd. (TSIP), Toshiba Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (TWS) and Toshiba Johnson Elevators (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TJEI).

While the external focus has been on financial contributions to support the fight against COVID-19, the main concern in-house has been taking multiple steps to ensure employee health and well-being.

Toshiba India Pvt. Ltd. (TIPL) plays a leading role in initiating measures to fight the virus. A comprehensive “Protocol Manual for Officer Operations during the COVID-19 pandemic” prepared by TIPL and clearly focused on employee safety, has been adapted by other group companies in India in multiple locations. TIPL also has an emergency response team (ERT) that monitors employee health and takes prompt actions as needed. Since the gradual lifting of the lockdown, TIPL continues to ensure sanitization and social distancing inside its premises.

Effective measures being undertaken to ensure social distancing at TIPL.

Toshiba Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (TWS) hosts online training programs for personnel at various project sites. These webinars feature in-length discussions on COVID-19 preventive measures.

Toshiba Johnson Elevators (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TJEI) takes measures to safeguard its employees' physical and mental health. Even before the lockdown was imposed in March, TJEI implemented a work from home policy as an early preventive measure. It also introduced a 'we care' initiative, under which an "employee connect" team was established to closely monitor, access and address any anxieties arising from the pandemic and lockdown.

TJEI Covid Response team in action

TJEI embracing the new normal, with proper sanitization activities at the office.

Toshiba Transmission & Distribution Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TTDI) shares regular updates on bes tpractices to maintain health and hygiene. Sanitization and temperature checks are made standard practices. To comply with government regulations, the company has arranged additional employee transport to and from work. TTDI has also set up COVID-19 isolation wards for employees showing any symptoms, and tied up with hospitals to ensure reasonable pricing in case any employee needed to be admitted. To boost the morale of the employees, COVID-19 insurance policies were also arranged. TTDI warriors who worked during the lockdown were appreciated and rewarded.

Disinfection activities to ensure virus-free workplace at TTDI.

Toshiba JSW Power Systems Pvt. Ltd. (TJPS) gives priority to the well-being and convenience of its employees and customers. The company takes the many precautionary steps demanded by the situation and suggested by government advisory notices. During these difficult times, TJPS also supports its workforce with groceries and other food items, helping them ride the crisis smoothly.

Initiatives to ensure hand hygiene inside TJPS office premises.

Toshiba Software India Pvt. Ltd. (TSIP) is promoting programs to ensure the physical and mental well-being of all employees. This includes an online nutritionist service, a series of webinars on health topics, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides employees with confidential counselling services on a wide range of work, family and personal issues. TSIP also ensured that employees stranded outside the country on business reached home safely by coordinating with consulates and airline companies. On top to this, the company paid special allowances allowing employees to purchase furniture or equipment needed to work from home seamlessly, and employees infected with the coronavirus are granted additional leave and support. To maintain high morale and foster an open culture, HR also regularly contact employees with updates from Toshiba.

These are just a few examples of the commitment demonstrated by Toshiba Group Companies. In this time of deep uncertainty, a new approach to leadership is needed, one that recognizes the paramount importance of compassion and empathy. Toshiba is striving to adapt and evolve FOR A NEW DAY.