MANILA, PHILIPPINES — When Cristina Guanzon joined Globe just this March, she found no trouble collaborating and blending in. Even while living with deafness, Cristina is able to seamlessly communicate with her colleagues.
“One of the first things my colleagues asked was how to sign some phrases and that I share my world through sign language classes. I appreciate my colleagues making an effort to sign simple greetings of ‘good mornin’ and ‘thank you’ after meetings,” shared Cristina, a Lead Expert for UI in Globe’s Product Engineering and Digital Growth (PDEG) team.
“They also willingly adjusted their communication methods, like speaking on my stronger side and allowing me to lip-read. Their patience and understanding touched me profoundly, reinforcing my gratitude for their acceptance,” added Cristina.
Such employee feedback reflects Globe’s efforts towards workplace inclusivity, among them the conduct of a disability sensitivity training, which aims to make all employees feel valued and supported.
Recently, Globe held its first disability sensitivity training to give participants a better understanding about disability, how to tackle communications about disability, and ways to properly interact with PWDs in the workplace.
The activity, held with key individuals and groups within the organization with support from the Philippine Business and Disability Network (PBDN), emphasized workplace accessibility for PWDs.
“Through our disability sensitivity training program and partnership with PBDN, we are actively breaking down barriers so every individual, regardless of ability, can thrive and contribute to our collective success. This is just the beginning of our journey towards building a truly inclusive workplace culture,” said Renato Jiao, Chief Human Resources Officer at Globe.
Cristina’s colleague, UI Design Manager Arvin John Mayor, said the training helped him understand why inclusivity in the workplace is important.
“This applies to workplaces, educational institutions, and public spaces, ensuring that we are treating people with disabilities with respect and dignity. This includes asking before offering assistance, being mindful of personal space, and communicating directly with the person,” said Arvin.
Such training is crucial for teams to ensure a friendly work environment for all, and Globe’s PWD employees already feel the difference.
Cristina said the training allowed her colleagues to “empathize with and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities.”
“It makes me feel hopeful that people and the world can be more inclusive. It reminds me that we hold the power to create environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued,” she said.
Globe’s proactive approach to promoting disability awareness and fostering a culture of empathy and acceptance is part of its commitment to establishing a workplace where all employees feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Its sensitivity training is regularly conducted for teams, squads and other employees with PWD members.
