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 background, education, views...

First, one of the strategies worth considering is integrating diversity and inclusion into a company's business goals and success metrics.

Typically, at BAT Vietnam, “Truly Inclusive” is one of the 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-minded and ensuring the right to express each individual's thoughts. The company also encourages constructive debate for mutual progress.

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, workshops of each department taking place 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 diverse and inclusive culture 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 each individual's career development needs at each stage of life.

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 each employee's priorities at different stages in their lives.

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 have better livelihoods and living conditions.

For example, at BAT Vietnam, the "Empowering Women" program 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 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 not to participate in trading, business, or storing smuggled cigarettes and not to assist those who participate in these illegal activities in any form.

During the recent Lunar New Year, BAT Vietnam visited and gave gifts to 50 disadvantaged households in Quarter 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.