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Danone's new SEA initiatives: Staff co-ownership, extended parental leave, and more

Global good company, Danone, has announced this week an enhanced focus on employee well-being and engagement, as part of its 'One Planet. One Health' vision in Southeast Asia (SEA), according to a press release.

Known collectively as 'One Person, One Voice, One Share', the initiative is an innovative employee engagement programme put in place to further foster company-wide engagement, and increase the sense of ownership amongst employees (also known as Danoners) in SEA.

Markets included in this are Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

As part of this overarching programme, 'One Voice' is driven by the belief that all employees should co-own the company's agenda. For instance, by helping to define the roadmaps to implement Danone's 2030 Goals, which are aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Under 'One Voice', an internal platform has been developed with learning resources related to the firm's vision and goals, in efforts to equip them to participate in these conversations.

The resources provided include content derived from collaborations with "like-minded partners", as well as internal initiatives such as Danone's annual 'Campus for All' event (a week-long series of learning activities to nurture local talent and help them co-lead the food revolution.)

In line with this, a second programme - 'One Share', allows every Danoner to have a share in the company, together with a global annual dividend-based incentive scheme, which thus deepens a "symbolic ownership mindset" among them.

Apart from the above, Danone is also introducing the following initiatives across its SEA offices (inclusive of Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand):

  • A platform for Danoners to experience other markets and cultures through short-term assignments in other Danone offices;
  • The pilot 'Agile Organisation', an initiative that focuses on competency development and adopting digital means of working;
  • Extended parental leave of up to 18 weeks' paid leave and up to six months of unpaid leave for parents;
  • Job protection policies and flexible work schedules for parents, with lactation rooms in all of Danone's corporate and manufacturing sites across SEA; and
  • Adapted working conditions for expecting mothers.

Sharing about the reasons behind this decision, Normalis Mohd Sharif, Director of Human Resources, Danone Southeast Asia, said the 'One Person, One Voice, One Share' programme is the firm's way of inviting its employees to actively participate in co-creating and co-owning the firm's collective future.

She added: "We want to be the most parent-friendly company in Southeast Asia. I am happy that our efforts have been reflected in Danone's excellent retention rates in SEA."

ALSO READ: How Danone SEA launched a workplace-friendly parental policy


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