Inclusion update for the Built Environment industry
Newsletter 30: Thinking differently, successful flexible working on sites, and collaboration
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.
Following in the footsteps of Sir Robert McAlpine and Wates, Laing O'Rourke have released their new 'parenthood' policy giving all new parents six months off on full pay, it also allows phased return to work.
A few months ago, six built environment professional bodies announced a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on EDI, this month they have shared their action plan.
The Timewise construction industry pilot has shared this report into flexible working on sites one year on.
The companies involved in the pilot have reported a decrease in one-days sickness absences, reduced stress, increased well-being and greater job satisfaction - sounds like a win-win situation to me.
The report shares there is still work to do, but that these companies are keen to progress due to the positive impacts.
We know sharing stories helps to embed diversity and inclusion. But there are also other reasons leaders should share more personal stories - it helps to build trust in relationships.
There are three key drivers of trust: authenticity, logic and empathy. We tend to trust people more who we believe are being their real selves and acting with empathy.
This article gives some tips around sharing personal stories with vulnerability, humour and humility, and hopefully inspiring others to follow.
“Did you know that autistic professionals can be up to 140% more productive than the typical employee when properly matched to jobs?
Still, in the U.K., the unemployment rate for autistic people is as high as 78%. In the U.S., that number jumps to 85%”
Organisations should be ensuring that their practices are inclusive, but this article also gives some tips to autistic people can do to excel at work (which managers should also read)
Rebecca Bettison shares her personal experiences of neurodivergent working at AECOM in a blog published as part of ACE's Building Inclusivity campaign.
Sign up to their roundtable on Neurodiversity on Thursday 7 September at 12noon.
