Five Group Continues to Shine as a Stress-Free Company by Prioritizing Employee Well-Being
In a remarkable achievement, the renowned dining corporation Five Group has been awarded the prestigious 'Stress-Free Company 2026' honor for an impressive fourth consecutive year. Headquartered in Musashino City, Tokyo, Five Group is helmed by CEO Kenji Sakamoto. This accolade is granted to organizations with an overall health risk assessment score below 90, highlighting their commitment to fostering a supportive work environment.
Understanding Stress-Free Companies
The designation of a Stress-Free Company is conferred by the Stress-Free Company Award Committee, which carefully evaluates organizations based on the results of group analyses from occupational stress surveys, as established by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This system recognizes companies for their exceptional ability to minimize workplace stress, ensuring that employees thrive in a healthy atmosphere.
In addition to Five Group, its subsidiary, B-Level Gourmet Research Institute Holdings, received the same esteemed recognition. This parallel achievement emphasizes their collective focus on employee well-being and innovative workplace practices.
Key Factors Contributing to Low Stress Levels
During this year's evaluation, Five Group excelled particularly in three areas that contributed to their low stress risk ratings: employee motivation, workplace vitality, and support from management. Let's delve into how Five Group has implemented strategies to enhance each of these aspects.
1. Promoting Employee Motivation
Five Group places significant importance on instilling a sense of purpose in their employees. Following their mission to create a world connected by joy, they ensure that this vision resonates even with part-time staff. To accomplish this, they have developed comprehensive orientation programs and handbooks that elaborate on their core principles. Moreover, various community outreach initiatives are frequently organized to engage every level of staff.
A unique initiative known as the 'Gratitude Project' facilitates an annual exchange of appreciation messages among employees, fostering a culture of acknowledgment and gratitude on a grand scale. In addition to this, they regularly select and celebrate 'Most Valuable Players' (MVPs) each month, ensuring ongoing recognition.
2. Cultivating Workplace Vitality
In a bid to infuse vitality into the workplace, Five Group encourages employees to adopt the motto 'Smile and Enjoy First.' This standard is one of their '5ive Ways,' which emphasizes that employees must first find joy in their work to effectively bring happiness to others. By promoting an environment where everyone feels free to express themselves and work energetically, Five Group has created a dynamic and uplifting workplace.
Furthermore, they host numerous cross-departmental events that allow for organic interaction beyond typical work responsibilities. Teams can utilize allocated budgets for recreational activities, thus allowing employees to bond over shared experiences of joy.
3. Creating a Supportive Environment
At Five Group, building supportive relationships is paramount. The organization encourages regular discussions not only with direct supervisors but also promotes connections with peers across various levels. This includes periodic meetings with both direct and diagonal supervisors, alongside ample opportunities for networking during inter-departmental events. Such practices encourage relationship-building that transcends typical hierarchies within the company.
About Five Group
Company Name: Five Group Co., Ltd.
Incorporation Date: June 30, 2003
Headquarters: Ichigo Kichijoji Building, 7F, 2-5-10 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino City, Tokyo
CEO: Kenji Sakamoto
Employee Count: 2,547 (518 full-time, 2,029 part-timers) - consolidated group
Awards:
- - GPTW 'Great Place to Work' Ranking: No. 1 in the Food Service Industry
- - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: Nine consecutive years of recognition as a Health Management Excellent Corporation
- - Stress-Free Company 2026 Award
- - Grand Prix: In-house Newsletter Award 2022
Official Website: Five Group Website
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