ShapeWin was recognized for diverse work arrangements not restricted by work location, hours, or life circumstances
ShapeWin received the “Flexible Workplace” Category Award at the 10th White Company Awards held by the Japan Next Generation Enterprise Promotion Organization (formerly known as the White Foundation).
Official Press Release (Japanese) : https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000041.000060077.html
Award Summary
The 10th White Company Awards recognizes outstanding efforts in workplace development and workplace policy implementation, showcasing innovative policies and systems. This year, awards were presented to 16 companies out of more than 240 entries in eight categories: “Shared Philosophy,” “Flexible Workplace,” “Health Management,” “Job Satisfaction,” “Benefits,” “Diversity and Inclusion,” “Human Resource Development,” and “Student Support”. All entries must initially be a certified as “white company”.
ShapeWin received an award in the “Flexible Workplace” category. This was in recognition of the company’s introduction of diverse work arrangements that are not restricted by work location, standard office hours, or other life circumstances, such as being a new parent, handling an illness and disability among other issues.
Award Eligibility
The White Company Awards commended ShapeWin for introducing a variety of workplace policies that are not restricted by place, time, or life stage.
The first policy the award commended ShapeWin for is the introduction of super-flex hours with no core hours and full remote work. All employees, including part-timers, work flexibly and remotely regardless of their employment status. The company also provides remote work allowances and lends employees PCs, smartphones, monitors, keyboards, and other items of their choice so that they can work comfortably in their home work environment without having to come to the office. This is a generous system that allows employees to work from the comfort of their own home without having to endure the long commutes to central Tokyo.
ShapeWin was also recognized for the efforts made to provide generous support to employees by proposing flexible working styles and work assignments. This was achieved by introducing a mid-workday leave system that allows employees to take time off for procedures at hospitals, government offices, etc., to pick up and drop off children, visit classes, etc., providing an environment where employees can balance “personal care and work” . This work system allows employees to choose a working style that suits their individual circumstances and to work at their own pace.
Finally, ShapeWin was recognized for their flexible work leave system, which is utilized by their foreign national employees, allowing them to return to their home countries for two to three months each year to continue full time remote work in their home countries. In cases involving time differences, ShapeWin employees can also work on local time, thus making it possible for them to work without difficulty even when they are overseas.
About ShapeWin’s worker-friendly internal system and environment
ShapeWin has been focusing on recruiting experienced and talented professionals and reforming workplace systems to improve employee retention rates.
Many talented professionals are overlooked by other companies because of their other personal obligations, such as those who have to raise children, care for family members, who need to work from rural areas or overseas. Due to such factors, these prospective employees have difficulty finding jobs of their choice or given satisfactory compensation, even though they are highly qualified. However, ShapeWin believes that by increasing work options such as flex time along with remote work and other benefits will help retain such experienced employees and solve labour shortage.
Shape Win’s commitment to a flexible workplace
| Highly flexible workplace | Flex time without core hours and full remote working were introduced. In addition, a mid-workday break system was introduced for hospital visits and child pick-up and drop-off. |
| Utilization of Cloud Technology | Document creation, recruitment, attendance, operations, management, and invoicing can now be operated entirely online through ShapeWin’s innovative utilization of various cloud technologies. Administrative tasks can also be performed remotely. |
| Enhancing internal communication | To increase internal communication, the company operates through chat rooms and holds online luncheons for team building. In addition, new staff conduct one-on-one self introductions with all employees. This supports building good relationships and ensures a positive workplace even when working remotely. |
| Utilization of “workcations” with local time availability | Introduction of “workcations” that accommodate time-zone adjusted working hours. Employees can work locally while traveling, among other activities. |
| Online in-house training | ShapeWin provides employees with training videos not only regarding internal rules & guidelines, but also provides tips on how to handle client tasks, various work software, and other work skills. These videos and manuals can be viewed regardless of the time. |
Effects of Workplace Reforms
With the implementation of ShapeWin’s remote workplace policies, the company has been recruiting staff both in Japan and overseas. Since implementing these flexible workplace policies, ShapeWin has successfully increased the number of employees sixfold over three years. The quality of services provided has also improved, and sales have increased by 300 percent since 2020. Other benefits of these workplace reforms include a reduced turnover rate and a better work-life balance.
Comments from ShapeWin Founder and President
“We have made various reforms to create a work environment where employees can do their job without anxiety, no matter what stage of life they are in. As a result of these efforts, we are honored to receive the award in the “Flexible Workplace” category. For a PR & digital marketing business such as ours, rather than restricting staff to specific office hours and locations, we have given employees the freedom to balance work and their personal schedules. This has allowed each of our staff to maximize their own productivity, which in turn has greatly contributed to the overall work autonomy and efficiency. In particular, our highly regarded “Flexible Breaktime” is utilized to enhance personal time, which in turn leads to better results at work. We will continue to pursue building a workplace that is not only flexible for employees but one that also enhances work productivity”
Yusuke Kamimura
About the White Company Awards
Sponsored by the Japan Organization for the Promotion of Next-Generation Businesses, these awards recognize outstanding companies that have implemented particularly noteworthy personnel systems and initiatives among those that have acquired an official White Company certification. In Japan, the term “White Company” denotes businesses that have credibility and implement ethical policies.