Inclusion update for the built environment and renewables industries
Newsletter 53: AI, guide dogs and the lost city
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.
Architects Registration Board are putting in place a new code of conduct to strengthen requirements for ethical standard after the release of their latest research highlighted the high levels of discrimination within the profession.
The report highlights: - Over a third of all professionals working in architecture have experienced insults, stereotypes or jokes relating to protected characteristics. - One in four female professionals has experienced unwelcome sexual advances. - A third of professionals would not feel confident raising concerns if they experienced or observed misconduct.
In Australia, using indigenous owned businesses within your supply chain is shown to have a big social return on investment. It also gives financial support to indigenous entrepreneurs who historically haven't had that.
Stockland share about how they have created their Indigenous Procurement Policy to embed these businesses within their supply chain.
A campaign launched in a number of cities across the UK highlighted the high number of suicide deaths within the construction sector. Read The Lost City white paper here.
The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has launched a nationwide ‘One More Apprentice’ campaign, urging all UK thermal insulation contractors to take proactive steps to secure the future of their businesses and the wider industry. The campaign follows research undertaken into the ageing profile of insulators and the wider industry.
People think construction is dirty, strenuous and unsafe according to new research from Deconstruction which results in many not wanting to join our sector.
While 60% of men would not consider having a career in the sector, the figure rises to 76% of women. In addition, only 2% of women would be impressed with a construction worker if introduced to someone for the first time.
The refusal feels like “being slugged in the gut”. That in itself must be horrible when it happens repeatedly, but then when Sean speaks about it on social media the vile responses he receives are just horrendous.
To be clear the equality act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against a disabled person because they have a guide dog with them when accessing businesses or services.
And as Sean says everyone is one accident or illness away from it happening to them.
This tribunal case highlights sex-based harassment where a father was awarded compensation when he started working condensed hours so he could spend more time with his baby. The tribunal found he was harassed by colleagues and ended up leaving the company.
In the USA a number of large corporations are rolling back their DEI initiatives after pressure from conservatives, particularly in the wake of the Trump election win. This is highly concerning for those from underrepresented groups as their rights are likely to be eroded.
