Creating a Workplace with Higher Job Satisfaction

Advantest has been striving to realize good work-life balance for all employees and to create a work environment in which each and every employee can work with higher job satisfaction.

With the spread of remote work and the progress of globalization and workstyle reforms due to the current COVID-19 situation, the working environment has changed drastically, forcing us to recognize a need for a more diverse form of office use. Under such circumstances, we have been unceasing in our exploration for the very existence of the office that ensures comfort, safety, and productivity, and have prompted improvements to further enhance the work environment by renovating the office.

Office Building Renovated to Support New Workstyles

Advantest has been renovating offices at each of our sites to realize new workstyles. The Marunouchi Office, Advantest Laboratories at Sendai, and Advantest (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. were renovated in FY2021. In FY2022, we have begun office renovation at the Gunma R&D Center.

Gunma R&D Center began a complete renewal of its office floors against the backdrop of aging fixtures and fittings that have been in use since construction was completed (Building 1 in 1996 and Building 2 in 2001) and changes in workstyles, including an increasing trend in remote work and web conferencing.

Up till now, we have introduced ABW (Activity Based Working) type free address system on a trial basis for the renewal of a corner of an office floor and common spaces. In order to promote the systematic renewal of all floors, we formulated renewal concepts and plans by interviewing the Executive Vice President of each division, conducting a employee survey, and holding workshops with employees selected from each division. Based on the renewal concepts and standard plan, we completed renewal work on two office floors in FY2022.

All office seats on the new floor have automatic height-adjustable desks for better mental and physical health and greater work efficiency. The common area has a café/lounge in the center for refreshment and interaction. There are focus spaces where individuals can concentrate, and spaces for meetings and communication with multiple people. In addition, in anticipation of upgrading to a high-speed networking environment,we installed ICT equipment such as large displays and web conferencing systems, and also newly introduced a conference room reservation system. Going forward, we plan to renovate each floor sequentially.

Owing to the large-scale nature of this renewal, we are taking a long-term perspective and proceeding through a trial-and-error process to determine what kind of fixtures and layout will be effective in realizing the overall concept, while also conducting post-renovation verification of its effectiveness. In addition, in anticipation of the progression of global operations, the working environment will change dramatically in the future, and further diversity in working places and styles will be required. As one of the measures to consider what the company's offices should ideally be like, we hold regular meetings with facility managers at our regional units for active discussion. We aim to create a better environment by exchanging information on how to build an office that ensures comfort, safety, and productivity.

Promotion of Digital Workplace Activities #myADV

Advantest has been continuously improving the #myADV digital workplace (#myADV), which started in May 2020, in order to encourage and support global business development and a "hybrid" way of working for employees globally.

#myADV is promoted by the Global IT Collaboration team and supports volunteer #myADV guides (over 150 guides as of the end of February 2023). Specifically, the Global IT Collaboration team conducts regular coaching sessions for #myADV guides, as well as organization-specific use case analysis and training for specific business entities to support company-wide dissemination and use of collaboration tools.

With the introduction of latest tools and technologies to facilitate global collaboration, we have integrated our global intranet into Advantest's #myADV Digital Workplace. We also help establish a global work model on a company-wide, latest communication and collaboration platform.

Even after the COVID-19 pandemic, #myADV activities continue to progress well, adapting to the new hybrid work models. In addition, training for employees across the entire group have been implemented to boost the level of tool usage, along with the development of new tools and functions, aiming to maximize team collaboration using digital technology.