Inclusion update for the Built Environment industry
Newsletter 26: Accountability, Ageism, and Action
Constructing Rainbows advises built environment organisations 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, both within the built environment and in other industries.
Age is sometimes forgotten about when discussing diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and yet we regularly see bias and discrimination against older and younger workers. This impact has been made worse throughout the Covid-19 period with data showing many older and younger people not currently in employment.
"DEI policies are only as good as the people responsible for carrying them out. If those people don’t fully understand what problem new processes or policies are solving, they won’t understand their role in bringing those plans to life — or how to hold themselves and others accountable."
The crux of the issue is the term ‘flexible working’ itself. Flexible working is not the same as employees being able to ‘work flexibly’. Disabled workers and working carers have long said flexible working is not flexible enough for them. It’s easy to see why.
As all parents know, there are many skills you learn whilst off that are often not recognised when returning to the work place, for example:
Negotiation skills with very stubborn little people Planning skills - around four people's activities Empathy - when someone gets the tiniest scratch on their finger
So I'm really pleased that Linkedin are bringing in this tool for those that have taken career breaks to really show the enhanced skills they have gained in that period.
EG is launching its annual LGBTQ+ Attitudes & Actions in Real Estate Survey to understand more about the progress (or lack thereof) the industry is making in its inclusivity quest. Have your say.
