Innovation

Home Depot-Mexico manages to directly involve all its associates in a support activity in which they voluntarily contribute a small fraction of their salary for their own security and that of their peers. In addition to this sum, the company duplicates the value of this contribution, which is undoubtedly a motivation for each who contributes.

The purpose of the Orange Fund is to ensure the associates’ well being when they are faced with situations of vulnerability like unexpected events that can jeopardize their economy or their family’s well being. Cases include natural disasters, house damage by earthquakes, hurricanes or tropical storms, orthopedic gear or even catastrophic illnesses not being covered specifically by the Mexican Social Security or private insurance.

There is a strict methodology in order to be able to evaluate each case being proposed; every case gets evaluated individually, according to Home Depot’s internal policies. The Home Depot also has a committee conformed by company leaders and with the use of their policies and the associate’s evidence, a decision is made to support the case. There is no bias in the selection process, as long as the associate complies with 100% of the documentation, methodology is followed, and the Orange Fund policies that have been established are met; the committee will approve automatically. If for any reason any documentation is missing, there is a commitment by the committee to get back to the associate in order to ensure the rightful guidance to get the documentation completed and make sure each and every case gets approved.

The contributions made by the employees is a minimum of $ 10 pesos every two weeks and it is tremendously important to mention that any employee can participate in the fund even without having contributed anything to it.

Inspiration

The sources of inspiration for the Orange Fund are The Home Depot-Mexico’s values: Company spirit, Build strong relationships, Excellent customer service, Caring for our people, Giving back, Do the right thing, Create value for the customer and lastly, Respect for all.

Inspired by their values, the Orange Fund program is based on helping and retaining the talent of each associate. The Orange Fund starts with voluntary donations from associates that are duplicated by The Home Depot-Mexico. This is the company's way to ensure they care and provide economic support to colleagues who truly need it; giving back to the people who have given them so much.

The company has supported over 40 families of associates affected by the earthquake in Oaxaca and Chiapas, as well as those affected by Tropical Storm Lidia in Los Cabos and La Paz during the first days of September.

Overall impact

For the last 4 years, Home Depot-Mexico has been and continues to be involved with this initiative that fosters employee loyalty through mutual help, solidarity among peers and the company, and finally with grateful and committed employees that can eventually impact the business through better customer service.

In recent years, Home Depot-Mexico has been supporting communities impacted by natural disasters, including about 40 employee’s families of the same company. In 2017 Mexico’s disasters were supported by the company contributing an additional $1 peso for each peso contribution to the fund.

Business benefit

With the benefits received by the employees, the sales process is strengthened on the sales floor with a good quality service that generates a greater demand for products, in addition to the fact that the loyalty greatly reduces the levels of rotation of the company.

It is also possible to reinforce teamwork through the solidarity created among peers and the delivery of the contributions among colleagues, achieving a sense of belonging with high standards.

With this program it has been possible to place the company at high levels of recognition within the community, Win to Win.

Social and environmental benefit

The social benefit is directly for their associates and their families, being taken care of in their most vulnerable moments and knowing they are completely backed up by their own company. This is able to be achieved while also increasing their loyalty and sense of belonging to the company.

As the associates are the ones who, in case of an emergency receive the resources, the initiative is totally tangible and valued by the employees.

Interview

Claudia Tercero, Chief in Social Responsibility & Internal Communication

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