Aiming to promote legal and regulatory compliance across the Group, OMRON set up a Corporate Ethics & Business Conduct Committee within the Group CSR Committee.

In recent years, the committee has expanded its activities from promotion of compliance to quick detection and sharing of risks associated with changes in laws and regulations and other external environment factors, as well as changing internal conditions such as launching of new businesses and entering emerging markets. The committee members comprise corporate ethics officers from each business company and corporate headquarters divisions in charge of human resources, general administration and legal affairs.

In fiscal 2010, workplace monitoring and a total employee awareness survey were conducted to make sure that there were no “fake contracts” for temporary workers. Efforts were geared toward establishing a global crisis management system, and two meetings were conducted to discuss the status of crisis management in business companies/divisions. There were also deliberations and decisions regarding the action plan for fiscal 2011.

Group companies in Japan also appointed corporate ethics officers in charge of offering compliance education selected from among manger- and higher-rank employees. A corporate ethics officer meeting is held once a year with all these members participating, to exchange information regarding the implementation of a PDCA cycle in accordance with an action plan, as well as hosting compliance training.

Overseas, efforts are concentrated on strengthening the compliance system by assigning corporate ethics officers in each region.

In fiscal 2011, based on the results of deliberations at the Corporate Ethics & Business Conduct Committee meetings held in fiscal 2010, OMRON will work to establish a management method for risk associated with entering emerging markets, and conduct business continuity planning (BCP) in preparation for the stoppage of information systems in the event of natural disasters. Other activities will include establishment of rules for global export control, and globalization of risk management practices.

In Japan and North America, a whistleblower hotline is in place inside and outside of the company for OMRON Group executives, full-time employees and temporary staff as well as their families.

The corporate legal department staff handles hotline contacts within the company, while an external law firm also serves to accept contacts. In fiscal 2008, it became possible to make hotline contact or seek advice through the electronic bulletin board on intranets in Japan, in addition to conventional telephone and email accesses.

In fiscal 2010, a total of 25 hotline contacts were made in Japan and 4 in North America. For the operation of the whistleblower hotline, the regulations clearly state strict maintenance of security and protection of whistleblowers from any detrimental treatment. OMRON informs employees of the availability of the hotline through corporate ethics cards, intranets and during new employee training. In fiscal 2010, case studies were used to help improve the skills of advisors. OMRON will continue making the hotline available and improving response to whistle-blowing.