Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Challenges and Opportunities

Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within an organization enhances productivity and drives new innovation. Employees with diverse perspectives and experience can improve business strategies with greater respond to customer needs. Additionally, cultivating an inclusive corporate culture fosters a sense of belonging among employees, increases employee engagement, reduces turnover rates, and attracts top talent. Adhering to DEI principles also mitigates legal risks and complaints while promoting human rights practices. Moreover, it expands business opportunities by accessing new markets, strengthening relationships with customers and business partners, and enhancing the Company's reputation and long-term sustainability.

Central Retail is committed to fostering a work environment and embedding values that embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion as integral parts of its culture and corporate strategy. This commitment extends to protecting human rights and labor rights for all employees and business partners. Central Retail prioritizes the prevention and protection of all employees and stakeholders, maintaining zero tolerance for discrimination, sexual harassment, and non-sexual harassment in all circumstances. The Human Rights policy and well-defined remediation measures are in place to ensure justice and appropriate remedies for affected individuals. This policy serves as a cornerstone of DEI, safeguarding the rights and dignity of every individual within the organization.

Central Retail aims to become a leading workplace recognized as A Great Place to Work, continuously advancing through programs and initiatives that promote understanding and meaningful inclusion among employees. These efforts align with the Company’s vision of being “Central to Life”, supporting and elevating diversity and inclusion at all levels of the organization.

Management Approach

Central Retail aims to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in its Human Rights Policy, which upholds equitable treatment for all employees and stakeholders. Central Retail strictly prohibits discrimination based on race, nationality, gender, age, skin color, religion, opinions, physical appearance, social or family status, or any form of distinction. This commitment forms the foundation of business operations. Additionally, the Human Rights Policy emphasizes the prevention and protection of employees at all levels from all forms of harassment, including sexual and non-sexual harassment, and will not tolerate any discrimination under any situation. This commitment reflects the Company’s belief that fostering a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment is essential for long-term business success. It ensures that every employee feels valued, respected, and supported, while also driving sustainable business achievements.

Strategic Actions and Impact Management

Central Retail has established I-CARE core values, which encompass operations that reflect a corporate culture promoting unity. These include: 1) Instilling and expanding the organization’s core values into policies and business strategies. 2) Nurturing and developing expertise to enhance employee capacity-building programs. and 3) Increasing awareness and understanding to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into work processes.

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Central Retail focuses on creating measurable positive impacts while mitigating potential adverse effects. The comprehensive initiatives range from promoting gender equality and empowering individuals with disabilities to supporting LGBTQ+ rights through awareness campaigns and inclusive employment practices. While specific employment programs for senior citizens and people with disabilities provide meaningful opportunities and enhance workforce diversity.

Stakeholder Engagement and Creating Shared Values

Central Retail believes that achieving sustainable success requires close collaboration with all stakeholders. Transparent communication channels enable Central Retail to inform and engage stakeholders comprehensively. Feedback gathered through these channels helps Central Retail continuously refine our operations to meet community needs and enhance social responsibility. In addition, Central Retail conducts an annual employee engagement survey using a 7-Level Likert scale in the questionnaire, covering the following aspects of employee well-being:

Employee Well-being	Example Questions
Job Satisfaction	“I would not hesitate to recommend this organization to a friend seeking employment.”
Purpose	“This organization’s mission provides meaningful direction to me.”
Happiness	“This organization inspires me to do my best work every day.”
Stress	“I have the flexibility to manage my work and personal life.”

Project Highlights

Diverse and Equitable Employment Initiatives

Central Retail has implemented an employment initiatives focusing on equity to promote sustainability and reduce social disparities. This initiative creates opportunities for individuals of all genders, ages, and backgrounds to join the workforce and develop their potential equally. It fosters acceptance of differences and teamwork, with a strong emphasis on inclusive hiring practices across our nationwide business operations.

Additionally, Central Retail has integrated AI technology into various aspects of the recruitment process. This technology prioritizes candidates’ skills and potential over personal factors such as gender or age, as well as employee learning programs that foster development and align with the organizational culture. Furthermore, AI enables in-depth data analysis to design compensation and benefits tailored to the needs of diverse employee groups, enhancing the transparency, efficiency, and sustainability of people management.

Over the past year, the Company’s employment initiatives have made significant progress in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The focus has been on creating equal job opportunities for vulnerable groups, with a particular emphasis on hiring people with disabilities for 742 people and senior citizens for 273 people. These efforts not only reflect the Company’s commitment to reducing labor market disparities but also highlight its dedication to fostering a workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion at all levels.

Cultivating Core Values through I•CARE Moving Ahead

The “I•CARE Moving Ahead” project aims to deeply embed the core values of I•CARE within employees, fostering integration into attitudes and work practices aligned with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles. By instilling the I•CARE organizational culture, the project emphasizes creating a workplace environment where everyone is recognized and participates equally. The initiative encompasses a variety of activities, including:

I•CARE Agent #3 Meeting “LIVE LOVE LIFE LONG”
- Engage employees from various business units to promote understanding and encourage the practical application of I•CARE core values. This includes experience sharing, collaborative learning, and interactive workshops.
Songkran Happiness Splash with I•CARE
- Incorporate the values of “openness, mindfulness, and mutual care” into a joyful festival. Activities include traditional Songkran rituals, corporate culture quizzes, and a “Mr. and Miss Songkran” contest, which highlights talents aligned with I•CARE core values.
I•CARE Workshop for Management Teams
- Arrange practical workshops for leaders focusing on active listening, open-mindedness, and constructive communication to enhance understanding at the leadership level.
Pride Month Celebration – I•CARE YOUR PRIDE
- Organize activities that empower employees to express pride in their individuality, while promoting diversity and mutual respect.
I•CARE BEAR “Pride Collection” Design Project
- Hold a creative contest for employees to design t-shirts that represent diversity and acceptance within the organization.

This project strengthens pride in a culture that embraces differences, committing to the shared goal of building an organization where everyone can grow together. With I•CARE core values as a driving force, the initiative supports sustainable business success in the future.

Gender Equality Promotion and Support Initiatives

Central Retail has launched a continuous initiative to promote gender equality at all organizational levels, with the aim of creating a workplace environment that provides equal opportunities for employees of all genders. The objectives include empowering individuals, breaking down social and cultural barriers related to gender inequality. Key campaigns under this initiative include “SHEPOSSIBLE, WE POSSIBLE: Inspiring Inclusion for All” and “Inspiring Inclusion in ‘A Great Place to Work’” These efforts aim to inspire and support women within the organization, enhancing their confidence and fostering creativity. The initiative has significantly increased the number of women in leadership positions at the management level, with over 630 women in 2024. This project not only motivates employees across all groups to pursue growth within the organization but also improves overall operational efficiency and contributes to a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

Additionally, Central Retail is committed to raising awareness of equality for all groups by organizing activities to celebrate Pride Month and other significant occasions, such as Loy Krathong. These events promote equality and environmental stewardship through activities like costume contests and provide opportunities for employees to initiate ideas that drive sustainability in their work. Diversity encourages openness, fosters innovative thinking, and prepares the organization to adapt to change. These efforts reinforce employees’ recognition of Central Retail as a true advocate for sustainability and diversity, enhancing its reputation as an employer that genuinely values these principles.

Equality Forum Leading to Sustainability

Central Retail actively promotes employee awareness of equality in the workplace by organizing the Equality Forum Leading to Sustainability. This initiative aims to drive sustainable operations across all business groups by fostering good corporate governance and providing valuable perspectives to employees. The forum attracted an impressive 1,896 viewers and covered key topics such as respect and mutual understanding, reducing bullying and promoting respectful communication, reducing situations of harassment and discrimination both sexual and non-sexual harassment, hiring a diverse workforce across nationalities, practical solutions for addressing workplace challenges, employee protection measures and grievance channels. The forum also featured interviews with employees who shared their experiences, such as dealing with customer pressure and handling challenging situations. These insights provided actionable guidance for employees, enabling them to apply the principles effectively in their daily work.