PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) continue to conduct workplace engagements to help prevent cases of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) and ensure the safety and welfare of their employees.

Through training sessions, PLDT and Smart provide employees with an orientation on the different forms of GBSH, relevant laws and supporting company policies, and established mechanisms for incident reporting, investigation, corrective actions, and penalties for violations.

“We offer these GBSH trainings annually, in multiple runs throughout the year, to reach all our employees and make them aware of policies and mechanisms that are in place to prevent and respond to GBSH cases in the workplace,” said Maye M. Rubio, Vice President and Program Management Head for Organization Planning and Optimization at PLDT.

PLDT and Smart uphold a zero-tolerance stance towards any form of discrimination and harassment in the workplace, in line with their policies on the handling of GBSH cases, human rights, and diversity and inclusion (D&I). The Group maintains compliance with anti-GBSH laws and engages in necessary dialogues with the government and like-minded entities to further enhance labor practices.

Supplementing these, PLDT and Smart implement parallel campaigns, workshops, and consultations that aim to cultivate an inclusive culture and promote a happy space for all their employees and student interns. The Group also continues to monitor performance and align with global reporting benchmarks in line with gender equality and D&I.

“We remain steadfast in fostering an environment that is free of discrimination and allows every individual to be treated with respect and dignity, and be given equal opportunity regardless of sex, sexual identity orientation, and gender identity.  By doing so, we hope to enable our employees to realize their full potential and contribute to our efforts of doing business responsibly,” said Melissa V. Vergel de Dios, Chief Sustainability Officer at PLDT and Smart.

PLDT and Smart’s initiatives to combat GBSH in the workplace and promote employee welfare underscore their commitment to support the Philippines in contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) on SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.