Sep 15 2025

Constructing Rainbows - Inclusive luxury, gender pension gap and the CEO's second wife

Inclusion update for the built environment and renewables industries
Newsletter 59: Inclusive luxury, gender pension gap and the CEO's second wife
Constructing Rainbows advises built environment, facilities management and renewables organisations across the globe who have an aim of making our industry inclusive for all. To find out more visit www.constructingrainbows.co.uk
This newsletter will provide you with some updates on what others are doing, within the built environment, renewables and in other industries.
Why can't luxury be inclusive - an Accessible Design Talk • Hotel Designs
Why is accessible design often treated as a niche or clinical requirement, rather than a baseline for all guests?

This discussion asks why people with accessibility needs are often excluded from the luxury hospitality market, and also touches on the UK purple pound estimated at £274bn - are we focusing on cost too much and not value?
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Pride in Energy 5th annual report has landed and it makes some grim reading, highlighting how concerning current global and national politics is to the LGBTQIA+ community.

What stood out for us was a lack of leadership, and we need leaders to be visible on this issue:
- How many leaders have sent a message of solidarity around EDI and LGBTQIA+ inclusion to their employees in response to the backlash
- How many leaders are supporting their affinity networks with adequate resources
- How many leaders are ensuring that bad behaviour is dealt with firmly and appropriately 

Employees should be able to come to work and feel like it’s a safe place for them to be against a backdrop of hate and division. We need leaders to make sure they are creating that culture in the sector.
Gender gap means retired women ‘have four months a year with no pension’ | Gender pay gap
The gender pension gap is closing, but it’s still at 36.5%, which basically means the equivalent of women stopping receiving their pension on 21st August this year. 

Linked to the gender pay gap, and that women take more time out for caring responsibilities, this means that women are receiving an average £7,600 per year less than men in their pensions. At this rate the gap won’t be closed until 2061. 
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The Progress Together impact report has highlighted that althought the Class Ceiling has started to crack in the financial services sector, progress has stalled.
The CEO's Second Wife (Fortune, 1989) | Fortune
This is an article in Fortune from 1989 about how divorce was becoming acceptable for CEOs in the Fortune 500, and actually looked at as a positive for the men who at that level should be able to get a new model of wife as well.

What struck me was:
- it’s always good to be reminded we have progressed, as I cannot see a news article in any respectable magazine/ newspaper writing about this these days 
- how far have we actually moved on? Just because it’s not written about, does that mean it doesn’t still happen? 
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Corporate Mentions Of ‘DEI’ Dropped 72% In 2025, Analysis Finds
In the US the impact of the Trump government is clear to see with a huge drop in corporate mentions of “DEI”. Some have dropped programmes, some have changed terminology, at fear of retribution from the government.

It’s a backwards step when most employees and future employees want to hear about the steps companies are putting in place to create fair, respectful and equitable workplaces. 
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Calling boss a dickhead was not a sackable offence, tribunal rules
Ah sometimes you've got to love the construction industry. 
Reading this, the comment seems to have been a term of endearment at this scaffold company, but it earned the office manager instant dismissal.

A tribunal has ruled that a warning should have been given first and as such the office manager won her tribunal.

Probably still best to not swear at people in the office (or on site) though....
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EDI Diagnostic for built environment firms
Many firms in the built environment want to improve equity, diversity & inclusion.

But here’s the reality:
- Some invest in recruitment but lose talent because of culture.
- Others spend on training but miss supply chain compliance.
- Some only realise they’re exposed when they lose a tender for weak EDI evidence.

That’s why we developed an EDI Diagnostic:
 ✅ Independent baseline audit
 ✅ Highlights key risks & quick wins
 ✅ Provides a practical roadmap for progress

It’s designed specifically for the built environment sector.

Contact us at sharon@constructingrainbows.co.uk for a copy of the overview.
Planning your Black History Month activities
Looking for a meaningful way to mark Black History Month in your workplace?

I’m really proud to work alongside anti-racism specialist, Bianca Jones CIPD, to support organisations in creating more inclusive, confident workplaces.

This month, I’m shining a light on the programme: Start Line: Race Foundations from EDP Training Ltd. a 90-minute online session designed to help teams start real, constructive conversations about race equity.

✅ Perfect for teams who are new to this work
✅ Led by expert Race Ahead Associate Trainers
✅ £500 + VAT | Unlimited participants

If you’re serious about building an inclusive culture that supports wellbeing, engagement, and retention - this is a great place to start.

🔗More info & booking: Calendly - Bianca Jones quoting "Constructing Rainbows RA"
enquiries@edptraining.co.uk
Record number of employers join the 2025 Women into Home Building programme
Applications are open for the latest cohort of the Home Builders Federation Women into Home Building programme. This is a 3 week programme to give women an insight into site management. It starts with 1 week of training and then 2 weeks of onsite experience. Open to people who are new to construction or those that are thinking of a career change. Applications close on 21st September.
Travel and childcare is paid.
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We have become an Affiliate Member of the International Professional Security Association (IPSA) .
Today we have become an Affiliate Member of the International Professional Security Association (IPSA) .The security sector knows it needs to make improvements around EDI, and under the leadership of Satia Rai has pulled together the Security Industry EDI Forum to drive this forwards. By becoming an affiliate member, Constructing Rainbows is signifying our intentions to support with their aims.

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