By Victoria “NIKE” De Dios
Uncertainty leads to depression, and with challenges in this current situation brought by the COVID19 pandemic, the need for a support group is very important now more than ever.
Many are back in the grind and have to endure the risk to travel to their workplace and back to their home in order to work again and provide something for their family. While there is telecommuting, not all business can embark a work from home system. Thus, the government has provided proper health protocols to be observed in the establishments that are allowed to operate like restaurants, salons, and barbershops.
With our current predicament, having the support of your loved ones and friends is a must, it’s like a face mask or other personal protective equipment, but these ones, you need emotional and spiritual support. And nothing beats of having the assurance that you have some people in your life to provide comfort and consolation, strength and courage to get through anything 24/7.
This goes true in the workplace which is dubbed as a second home and based on research, working people spend more than 1/3 of their time each day in their workplace.
While there are now many people who work from home, our work takes up a lot of hours in our days. Even without the physical environment of an office, feeling supported and welcomed for your talents and skills is an asset of a workplace. One that empowers people to be their best and be driven to create a future with the Company.
Shiela Pangilinan, HR Business Lead of Mondelez Philippines emphasized the value of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
“We are committed to sustaining a workplace where differences are valued and where everyone can be themselves. In fact, one of our company values is to ‘Do What’s Right.’ And his is a commitment to respect and value differences as success enablers,” Pangilinan said.
“We believe passionately in a culture where everyone is treated with integrity and respect. When it comes to diversity and inclusion, we have three clear goals we hold ourselves accountable for: Empowering women to lead, offering an inclusive bias-free workplace, and building an active and purposeful diversity and inclusion community. We tell our colleagues, Make it Uniquely Yours at Mondelez Philippines. Be yourself, dare to be different and Speak up!.” Pangilinan added.
Inclusive Company Policies to Help You, Do You
More than a philosophy or belief, making the work experience at Mondelez Philippines unique are its policies and work culture, which promotes diversity and inclusion. Currently, people of the Company who do not need to be physically present in the office continue to work from home. This isn’t something new though as this policy has been in force since 2017. This working arrangement aims to provide opportunities for employees to efficiently manage their personal tasks without compromising the performance of work responsibilities.
Similarly, the Company has expanded its Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) benefits. This entitles health coverage not only for married couples but also for domestic partners of all genders. Benefits include annual check-ups, and inpatient, outpatient, emergency, dental, and maternity care. Most recently the Company has begun to cover the cost of consultations and treatment for mental health conditions as well as a wider range of illnesses.
Lastly, allowed time off work has been expanded based on the roles you play in your household, not your gender. Leaves for Primary and Secondary caregivers are regardless of gender, and regardless of the birth method. This means leaves are also given for instances of surrogacy or adoption. Single parents are also afforded an additional 15 days of paid leaves to ensure they can be present at home and attend to their responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Karl Sandoval, an HR Manager, and the Company’s own LGBTQIA advocate said. “I have always felt welcome at Mondelez Philippines and accepted for who I am and who I want to be.”
“In fact, gender has never played a role in our workplace. You wouldn’t usually see someone like me, a member of the LGBTQIA community leading and partnering with a male-dominated area such as a manufacturing unit. But Mondelez Philippines’ manufacturing team has welcomed me very warmly,” Sandoval explained.
You are appreciated and recognized for what you can contribute and not how you identify yourself. Our policies also make our jobs and our home commitments much easier to manage. Because the Company trusts us to do our best, we show our appreciation by being the best version of ourselves. By making the experience of working at the Company uniquely our own,” the HR Manager of Mondelez Philippines concluded.
