Work-life balance, the Orica way

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Just like any company, Orica Philippines Inc. based in Limay town, aims to maintain industrial peace within the plant making sure that concerns, be it labor or business, queries or even conflicts between and among employees and/or management are properly addressed, discussed and resolved.

Way back in 2014, Orica formed its Labor and Management Council (LMC) composed of representatives from the employees’ labor union and the management, with the above mentioned purpose in mind.

It was not easy, especially during the first year of implementation but both parties did not lose hope and faith and last year 2017, Orica Philippines was recognized by the DOLE Region 3 as one of the companies with the best LMC in the region, which qualified them to compete in the national level. Even if they did not make it then, they are optimistic that with their preparations and their experience last year, they will make it next year, in 2019.

“Sabi nga namin sa vision namin we want to be known as a first class LMC all over the world. To achieve this, ang naging focus namin is more on family welfare” said Engr. Arnel Tegelan, Human Resources Manufacturing and Supply Officer.

Among their activities towards this end, last March, the ‘Orica Honors’ was held, a recognition program for the children of Orica employees who excelled academically in their respective schools.

There are occasions that aren’t declared holidays but the company still makes it possible for their employees to be with their families and loved ones in those occasions while doing their duties to the company as employees, a sort of work-life balance.

Orica is the sole manufacturer of ISO 9002 certified explosives and initiating explosive products in the Philippines. It produces and supplies a full range of products from packaged emulsion explosives to excel non-electric detonators, cordtex detonating cord, safety fuse, and anzomex boosters.

Orica implements a performance-based culture driven by personal accountability for delivering results, towards achieving its vision of providing customers with ‘Clever Resourceful Solutions’.

Within the company the culture is defined by four key principles that guide how they act and behave: No accidents today, Succeed through collaboration, Find valuable solutions and It’s our business.

 “We want to show the world that Orica is not focused alone in business on making profit, we want to show that beyond that we can be part of the community. We are a hazardous manufacturing company so we also want to make sure that the community where we belong is safe, hence we make sure that they are well-educated and informed” Engr. Tegelan added.

Hosting a variety of events and programs involving the employees and their families proves such claim; Orica is not here just to do business and make money; it is here also to show compassion and lend a helping hand to the community; suffice it to say that Orica takes its Corporate Social Responsibility program seriously.

With report from Ann Kayle Cruz, photos courtesy of Engr. Arnel Tegelan