EEOC chair unveils blueprint for inclusive construction industry
by arslan_ahmed | November 21, 2023 11:09 am
The report “Building for the Future: Advancing Equal Employment Opportunity in the Construction Industry” authored by U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) chair, Charlotte A. Burrows, outlines key insights and actions addressing discrimination and harassment in the construction industry, drawing from enforcement experience, testimonies, and academic research.
Burrows emphasized the unique opportunity presented by recent federal infrastructure investments, describing it as a “once-in-a-generation” chance to dismantle barriers and enhance equal opportunities within the construction sector. Despite historical challenges of discrimination in the industry, Burrows expresses optimism about shaping a more inclusive future. She expresses eagerness to collaborate with industry leaders, employers, and unions to create safe and inclusive workplaces for all construction workers.
The report commences with a concise overview of the construction industry, followed by an examination of employment discrimination based on race, national origin, and gender within the industry, utilizing insights gleaned from the commission’s publicly resolved cases spanning the past decade.
The key findings highlighted in the report include the underrepresentation of women and people of color, particularly in higher-paying and higher-skilled trades. It also underscores the persistence of discrimination and harassment based on sex, race, and national origin, which contributes to the industry’s demographic imbalance.
The pervasive issue of harassment on construction sites is addressed, pointing out its hindrance to recruiting and retaining women and workers of color. Notably, the report sheds light on alarming instances of racial harassment, such as the frequent appearance of nooses on jobsites nationwide. The report asserts that harassment in construction is not just a civil rights concern but also a workplace safety issue.
Burrows acknowledges the pressing need for innovative and collaborative strategies to address these enduring challenges. Despite the EEOC’s success in investigating and litigating cases of discrimination in construction, the report emphasizes the necessity of coupling enforcement efforts with preventive measures.
The outlined next steps for the EEOC include developing industry-specific technical assistance, engaging with unions, employers, and industry groups, promoting lawful diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility practices, offering anti-harassment training, and collaborating with other anti-discrimination agencies at federal, state, and local levels to advance equal employment opportunity in the construction industry.
Source URL: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/eeoc-chair-unveils-blueprint-for-inclusive-construction-industry/