Our employees play a pivotal role in our advancement and success. We prioritise equity through targeted training, development, and recruitment initiatives. Our inclusive culture celebrates diversity and offers equal opportunities. We foster an environment where every individual feels valued and equipped to drive success. Ensuring health and well-being for all is central to our ethos. Through our flagship programme, Healthier You, which includes webinars, contests, and activities we cover topics such as nutrition, physical health, financial well-being, and mental wellness.
We seek and value differences in people – in thinking, experience, ethnicity, age, gender, faith, personalities and styles. The different cultures, nationalities, backgrounds, insights, and physical and mental abilities of our people power our creativity and ideas. The different skills, experiences and abilities of our people are what drive our company forward and keep us relevant and reflective of our customers and markets.
We strive for an inclusive environment where employees feel safe, engaged and free to create and innovate. Inclusivity is woven into our Leadership Behaviors. Our “I’m in” campaign, launched in 50 countries, is designed to strengthen and build upon our culture of inclusivity. We want everyone at 3M to feel valued and free to bring their authentic selves to work each day.
Engaging in our communities beyond 3M is an important aspect of what we do. Being involved in the communities where we work and live helps us give to others and learn from others, and fuels our passion to improve every life. By embracing diversity in these opportunities, we’re also building 3M’s visibility as a great place for all types of people to work.
We actively promote diversity and inclusion at 3M through our four Employee Resource Networks: Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF), New Employee Opportunities Network (NEON), PRIDE, and Diverse Abilities Network (DAN). Our goal is to align our workforce demographics with the broader talent pool and foster an inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and abilities. Last fiscal year, we focused on increasing the representation of women and creating a disabledfriendly workplace.
NEON hosted a ‘New Beginnings’ event for new hires, while WLF celebrated International Women’s Day by honouring frontline workers’ contributions during the pandemic
WLF also offers a programme for returning mothers and our women scientists’ achievements were showcased in a prestigious CII compendium. PRIDE network conducts knowledge-building sessions and Pride month celebrations to raise awareness about LGBTQI+ communities.
DAN focuses on creating awareness about disabilities and drafted an Equal Opportunities policy aligned with the RPWD Act 2016. We collaborate with other organisations in this space to ensure a welcoming environment for all employees.
3M India actively engage our plant employees through various initiatives to enrich their experience. These include scholarships for their children, Kaizen events, and activities organised by the 3M Clubs.
We have 16 employee led 3M Clubs, that play a significant role in building our culture, bringing employees and their families together for sports events and fostering family interactions.
Our ‘Work Your Way’ philosophy empowers employees to choose their optimal way of working, fostering work-life balance. We facilitate cross-functional collaboration through various platforms, accelerating ideation processes and enhancing productivity.
For more than 50 years, 3M’s commitment to volunteering has been one of our greatest contributions to the communities where we live and work. 3Mers are encouraged to share their many talents and skills to strengthen their communities by volunteering. Our volunteer work enriches schools, makes communities more vibrant and helps children from diverse neighborhoods achieve greater academic success.
3M India strives to create opportunities for those who are overlooked and underserved. Part of our sustainability strategy is grounded in a commitment to building and nurturing meaningful connections with local communities. By synergising the collective power of our people, products, and philanthropic efforts, we design various initiatives to support these communities. From advancing education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to cultivating a skilled workforce and implementing programmes focused on both community and environmental well-being, we dedicate our focus to making a meaningful impact at every level.
We launched the unique 3M Wonder Tinkering Labs Programme in 2023 in collaboration with the Learning Links Foundation. This programme operates in 10 Government schools in Shirur district, rural Pune, with a mission to cultivate a passion for STEM subjects among students. The curriculum focuses on honing 21st-century skills, including collaboration, design thinking, and problem-solving, delivered through hands-on sessions and mentorship from innovation coaches. Students participate in after-school problem-solving sessions, where they identify local issues and devise solutions using resources in the tinkering lab. Equipped with DIY tinkering kits, the lab introduces students to sensors, electronics, circuits, and 3D printing technologies, fostering creativity and innovation.
Beyond traditional education, the programme addresses global challenges like climate change and sustainability. Over three years, our goal is to cultivate well-rounded individuals equipped with the skills needed to thrive in current and future job markets. We aim to ignite a passion for STEM subjects and encourage students to pursue higher education in these fields. In Pune alone, the programme benefits around 3,800 students. Recently, we expanded the initiative to 10 schools in Anekal, near our Electronics City manufacturing site in Bengaluru. Both programmes have positively impacted over 5,800 students
3M India launched Project Nanhi Kali in collaboration with the K.C. Mahindra Education Trust in 2018. Since then, we have supported over 2,800 girls in Ambegaon, rural Pune, from primary to secondary school. Each year, we celebrate a growing number of graduates, with 87 in 2022, 143 in 2023 (including 15 scoring over 90%), and 171 in 2024. Over 400 graduates have pursued higher education, focusing on subjects like maths, science, and Marathi.
We introduced digital tablets for remote learning and monitoring, ensuring continuity during difficult times. Students are also encouraged to participate in sports and cocurricular activities like the Toofan Games, where sponsored girls excelled and won accolades. Through Project Nanhi Kali, we have seen a significant decrease in dropout rates among girls. Empowered by the programme, these girls are confidently pursuing higher education and becoming role models in their communities. The project continues to inspire confidence and academic achievement, nurturing future leaders.
The 3M Visiting Wizards programme aims to illustrate the application of scientific principles in everyday life, fostering greater interest in STEM or the Skilled Trades among students. In 2023, our R&D volunteers operationalised this programme, visiting five government schools catering to mixed-gender students aged 10-14, enrolled in classes 5th-8th. Approximately 1,000 students were reached through these events
Global Recognition:
3M brand is globally recognized for innovation, quality and trust. It featured on Interbrand’s top 100 list of global best brands in 2022. Over the years, the 3M Group has received several global accolades and recognition, further highlighting the trust it commands. Below is a selection of recognitions received in 2023:
Among Top 50 Most Innovative Companies globally, by Boston Consulting Group.
One of Top 50 World’s Most Admired Companies, by Fortune
One of the World’s Best Companies of 2023, named by Times
The 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies Honouree List, by Ethisphere.
3M India’s corporate social responsibility philosophy stems from its purpose to unlock the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what is possible. In line with its core values, the CSR framework is centered around three pillars – Education, Community and Environment.
Each pillar represents 3M’s strategic intent to create social impact and improve lives through innovative investments in education, underserved communities and the environment.
Objectives:
The Company’s response to community interventions during times of natural disasters also come under the community initiatives. Environment: In line with 3M’s global sustainability goals, the Company’s environment responsibilities extend to the communities we serve around the geographical areas of operation, through interventions in water conservation and clean energy.