Celebrating Pride in the Construction Workforce: A Commitment to Inclusivity and safe workspaces

Written By Christina Rupp

At the Washington State Construction Center of Excellence (CCE), we proudly celebrate the LGBTQIA2S+ community and recognize the invaluable contributions made daily to building legacies across Washington state. This Pride Month, we want to shed light on a pressing issue: the ongoing harassment and bullying that persists in workplace environments, particularly within the construction industry.

Addressing Harassment: Core Principles and Practices

Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released essential guidelines to prevent and address workplace harassment. These principles highlight the need for committed and engaged leadership, which is at the heart of our efforts at CCE. To read the full article from the USEEOC: https://www.eeoc.gov/promising-practices-preventing-harassment-construction-industry. To learn more about the USEEOC’s Strategic Enforcement Plan FY24-28: https://www.eeoc.gov/strategic-enforcement-plan-fiscal-years-2024-2028.  

True leadership goes beyond symbolic gestures; it requires a continuous commitment to recognizing and celebrating everyone in the industry. This includes the brave tradespeople, engineers, architects, in-house staff, and many more who contribute daily to construction but may still fear being their authentic selves due to potential harassment. Adding a Pride Month logo to our landing page is a first step in our recognition process, but only the beginning of our work that will take years of dialog, training opportunities, listening, and recognition.

Creating a Culture of Accountability

Effective harassment prevention relies on consistent and demonstrated accountability. By fostering a culture where harassment is never acceptable, we can build safer, more inclusive workplaces. This holistic approach involves:

  1. Collaboration: Working together across sites and companies to prevent and correct harassment.

  2. Support Systems: Providing resources and clear reporting channels for those affected.

  3. Inclusive Programs: Ensuring apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs are free from unnecessary barriers and are inclusive.

  4. Ongoing Training: Conducting specific training on bullying and harassment, particularly for marginalized communities.

  5. Policy Development: General contractors can establish internal policies and coordinate site-wide training and preventative measures.

Building a Supportive Community

We must also provide access to counseling, support groups, and union/organizational resources that help LGBTQIA2S+ members navigate work environments. Toolbox talks can address issues faced by the community and promote equality and accessibility on worksites. Furthermore, convening site-wide leadership committees with input from civic groups and experts ensures a well-rounded approach to preventing discrimination and harassment.

Honoring Contributions and Building Hope

For centuries, the LGBTQIA2S+ community has faced hatred and discrimination, often overshadowing their contributions to the construction industry. We must celebrate and honor the incredible knowledge, creativity, and skills they bring to our field. Recognizing these contributions not only uplifts the community but also sets a standard for future generations to work without fear.

A Call to Action

It is up to each of us to reevaluate our attitudes and actions. We must challenge ourselves to open our minds and hearts, ensuring that the LGBTQIA2S+ community can work without suffering. The responsibility lies with us to create a safe and inclusive environment, not with LGBTQIA2S+ members to prove their worth.

As we celebrate Pride Month, we honor the LGBTQIA2S+ community through our logo and this message. We acknowledge their incredible contributions to infrastructure, design, and beyond. While the road has been challenging, we hope for a future where everyone can work without fear and with the respect they deserve.

Christina Rupp
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