Where Care Leads: How MR.DIY Builds a Workplace That Works for Women

MANILA, PHILIPPINES– At MR.DIY Philippines, we believe care is a corporate value—not just a personal one. As a company led by women and rooted in community values, we’ve made it our mission to build a workplace where women are empowered to thrive—not only as professionals, but also as caregivers, leaders, and changemakers.
As both a CEO and a mother, I’ve seen firsthand how care, when meaningfully practiced, creates space for growth—not just in business, but in the lives of the people behind it.
This Month of May, we take the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) by celebrating the strength of mothers in the workplace. Their resilience isn’t just admirable—it’s essential. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to support women meaningfully across all levels of our organization.
At MR.DIY, this commitment goes beyond words—it’s reflected in real experiences. Marion Tabing, one of our dedicated employees, shares how her journey through pregnancy was met with unwavering support from her leaders. Their encouragement and understanding allowed her to balance work and motherhood with confidence, proving that a supportive workplace makes all the difference. Her story is just one example of how MR.DIY fosters an environment where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered.
From the flexibility to attend prenatal check-ups to accommodations for remote work during a delicate pregnancy, her well-being was prioritized every step of the way.
“As an employee, I'm deeply grateful to be part of the MR.DIY family. During my pregnancy, my bosses and team leads showed remarkable consideration and support. Whenever I needed to attend prenatal check-ups, they graciously allowed me to take time off. When my pregnancy became more delicate, they accommodated my needs by permitting me to work from home, ensuring my safety and well-being.
Even when I felt impatient and eager to return to work, my leaders advised me to complete the mandatory 105-day maternity leave. Their guidance allowed me to focus on my physical and mental recovery, bond with my baby, and establish a healthy breastfeeding routine.”
Marion’s story is just one example of how we embrace DEI by standing beside the incredible mothers in our workforce. At MR.DIY, supporting women isn’t just about policies—it’s about people. It’s about ensuring that every mother feels seen, valued, and empowered throughout their journey.
Creating a Workplace That Supports Women and Families
Caregiving is a full-time commitment, and we want our employees to feel that MR.DIY truly supports them—not just in principle, but in practice. That’s why we continuously develop initiatives that ease their responsibilities, from flexible work arrangements to family-friendly benefits. By fostering a culture of care, we empower our employees to thrive both at work and at home.
Women make up a significant part of our workforce, with 3,098 female employees spread across different job levels. The largest group consists of 1,781 cashiers, followed by 651 assistant supervisors and 398 supervisors. Their dedication and expertise drive our operations, ensuring seamless service and efficiency across all levels. Many have advanced into leadership roles, demonstrating the strong career growth opportunities within our organization.
Over half of MR.DIY's C-suite executives are women, driving strategic decisions and shaping the future of the company. Beyond frontline roles, our leadership team is a powerhouse of talent, with 97 assistant managers, 49 managers, and 23 officers, alongside 2 executives, 1 C-level manager, and 6 direct reports to the CEO. This well-structured team ensures seamless operations, fosters innovation, and champions growth in an inclusive and dynamic work environment.
This breakdown reflects not only representation but also opportunities for growth across leadership and operational roles.
To ensure continued support for working women, MR.DIY complies fully with Philippine labor standards—and goes beyond whenever possible. Our employees benefit from:
- 105 days of paid maternity leave, in accordance with RA 11210.
- 7 additional days of parental leave for solo parents under RA 8972 and RA 11861.
- Special leave for gynecological concerns, offering up to two months of paid leave, under RA 9710 (Magna Carta for Women).
- Dedicated lactation stations, ensuring breastfeeding mothers have a private, comfortable space, following RA 10028.
- Active Sexual Harassment and Health & Safety Committees, upholding workplace dignity and safety, per RA 11313.
But policy alone isn’t enough—we believe in action. That’s why we’ve introduced programs designed to make real, tangible impact:
- Whistleblowing mechanism is in place to serve as a safe line to report sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace and other employee misconduct
- Health and wellness partnerships, giving employees access to medical programs and cancer awareness drives.
- Engagements focused on women’s empowerment, including leadership workshops, self-care initiatives, and advocacy campaigns.
At MR.DIY, we don’t just create jobs—we build workplaces where women can grow, lead, and thrive in ways that matter.
Prioritizing Women’s Health and Well-being
Through preventive care initiatives like annual Pap smear screenings for female employees aged 35 and above, and learning sessions on reproductive health and cancer prevention, we proactively invest in our people’s long-term health.
Cognizant of the importance of well-being, we’ve also introduced programs designed to make real, tangible impacts:
- Whistleblowing mechanisms, offering safe and confidential reporting.
- Health and wellness partnerships, giving employees access to medical programs and cancer awareness drives.
- Engagements focused on women’s empowerment, including leadership workshops, self-care initiatives, and advocacy campaigns
This enables us to address the unique health needs of women central to their well-being.
Embedding Sustainability in Our Values
Mothers are often our first teachers of stewardship—showing us how to care for our environment through simple, mindful habits. At MR.DIY, we mirror those lessons in our sustainability practices: from solar-powered stores to community eco-programs, we embrace green practices in every corner of our operations. These initiatives reflect our commitment to building a future where conscious choices become second nature. Importantly, sustainability and caregiving are responsibilities that belong to all of us—not just to women, but to every individual who values the well-being of our planet and communities.
As a proud signatory of the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (UN WEPs), MR.DIY advocates for equitable growth by working with women-led enterprises and environmentally conscious partners. This commitment is evident as we gear up our partnership with PCX and Aling Tindera Network for a series of activities that will facilitate plastic recycling, women empowerment, and community participation,ultimately allowing us to be a Plastic Cleanup Partner.
Empowering People, Strengthening the Future
Nurturing, in its truest sense, is about building a future where all people can flourish—regardless of gender, title, or circumstance.
As we celebrate the women and mothers in the workplace - I reflect on the quiet yet profound strength of mothers who lead by example, and I am reminded that the strongest legacies are built not on titles or profits, but on compassion, fairness, and responsibility.
At MR.DIY, we know that when women thrive, everyone benefits. That’s why our commitment to empowering women goes beyond Mother’s Day or Women’s Month—it’s every day! From leadership opportunities to skill-building initiatives, we create pathways for women to grow and succeed. By fostering a culture of inclusion and support, we ensure that empowerment isn’t just a moment, but a lasting movement.
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About MR.DIY
MR.DIY is the largest home improvement retailer with more than 4,000 stores across Southeast Asia including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Turkey, Spain, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, , Vietnam and Poland.. The home improvement retailer has dedicated itself to making a positive difference in the lives of its valued customers by offering convenience at all its stores nationwide.
All MR.DIY stores are managed directly and the company often works in collaboration with other mass merchandise retailers or owners of malls or shopfront properties. MR. D.I.Y. stores offer a wide selection of — approximately 18,000 SKUs — across 5 major categories, namely hardware; household and furnishing; electrical; stationery and sports equipment products; and others (comprising amongst others toys, car accessories, jewelry, and cosmetics).
The company strives to put customers first by operating an innovative business that is flexible when it comes to providing a wide variety of products, good quality, and value-for-money, holding true to the Company’s motto of “ALWAYS LOW PRICES”. Visit www.mrdiy.com/ph/ and our official social media accounts at Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for more details.