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Diversity
Once again, Pepper is joining our peers across the construction industry to celebrate and support Construction Inclusion Week, October 14-18, 2024. Our goal remains to “unite the built environment to focus on creating a more welcoming and inclusive construction industry.” Now in its fourth year, the week aligns with our commitment to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in every aspect of our work – whether behind a desk or on a jobsite.
That commitment starts at the top of our organization. This video provides Stan Pepper’s perspective.
Stan Pepper, Chairman and CEO, The Pepper Companies
Throughout the week, our offices and jobsites will host programs that reflect the Construction Inclusion Week themes:
- Monday - Commitment and Accountability
- Tuesday - Belonging
- Wednesday - Supplier Diversity
- Thursday - Workforce Culture
- Friday - Community Engagement
We will provide updates each day through this blog post and on social media, including photos, shared stories, activities and outreach efforts. Follow our progress and revisit this blog to witness inclusion at work!
Monday, October 14 – Commitment and Accountability
To kick off the week, Pepper teams across our offices met for lunch and to have a general discussion about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI+B). This included advancements we’ve made over the past year, what we’re currently targeting and what else we need to do to advance. Some of the locations then moved into smaller group discussions about equity vs. equality and being a “change champion” – people who can “be the change we want to see.” The chart below gave us a valuable tool to fully explore the topics of leadership and accountability as we continue to build inclusive workplaces that bring DBI+E principles forward.
Team members in our Des Plaines, Illinois office gathered to share lunch and thoughts about ways to create an impactful Construction Inclusion Week and carry the themes throughout the year. Similar conversations happened across the Pepper network.
Tuesday, October 15 – Belonging
As we focus on today’s theme of “belonging,” our teams are considering how we can create workplaces where everyone feels welcomed and valued. Our workplaces don’t necessarily begin and end at a Pepper office threshold. Every construction trailer, every jobsite, every phone call and every email is a part of our daily life and the work environment we create. From trade partners to cubicle cohorts, we must strive to make sure everyone feels that they belong.
To encourage our teammates to self-reflect and educate themselves about belonging and its importance, resources including books, TEDx Talks, articles, videos and self-assessment exercises were provided. At some locations, company-wide calls and discussions were also held.
This concept goes beyond just being present - it's about feeling truly valued, accepted and integral to our team. When we bring our whole selves to work, it leads to greater creativity, collaboration and job satisfaction.
Wednesday, October 16 - Supplier Diversity
In addition to viewing a video on Supplier Diversity, teammates in Indianapolis were asked to share their experiences working with members of Pepper’s diverse trade partner mentorship program and were also reminded of where to access lists of diverse certified trade partners and suppliers for the Indianapolis-area market.
Illinois-based employees were invited to attend a live and web-based “lunch and learn” with Chicago UNIDOS in Construction, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the inclusion and participation of Hispanic contractors and professional services firms in the construction industry.
Our team in Ohio further supplemented the day’s activities with a Cultural Potluck lunch. Employees in our Columbus and Cincinnati offices were invited to contribute a dish that represented an aspect of their ethnic culture or heritage. While sharing a meal, they could share a bit about what makes them diverse and unique.
Thursday, October 17 - Workforce Culture
As we continue our Construction Inclusion Week journey, today we are focusing on Pepper’s Workplace Culture, exploring strategies to cultivate a more inclusive and supportive work environment. The culture we create on our jobsites and in our offices is the invisible force that shapes our daily experiences and ultimately, our success. An inclusive culture is not just about making everyone feel welcome – it’s about bringing forward the best from every person.
We’re engaging in a variety of activities across our offices and jobsites today, including a webinar discussion with a panel of tenured Illinois employees who have been with the company for more than 15 years exploring Pepper’s rich workplace culture. The Ohio team listening to a podcast highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives in the workplace, and then assembling in small groups to have guided discussions.
In Indianapolis, teammates are being encouraged to share their thoughts about DEI at Pepper through a digital "idea board." The tool allows them to anonymously post answers to two prompts: "DEI at Pepper looks like..." and "Challenges to DEI at Pepper include..." Responses will be gathered, discussed and used to inform continuous improvement efforts.
Our teams are also venturing out today to experience the Pepper culture on jobsites, including the Intuit Gallery renovation, Waste Management office upgrades and athletic field renovations at Buffalo Grove High School District 214. We’re also looking to the future by attending the Lockland Student Success Fair, which is a dynamic community event designed to empower students and their families with the tools and knowledge needed to have a successful and balanced future. The Pepper team will be sharing our culture and discussing different career opportunities in the construction industry while answering questions from students, parents and community members.
While visiting jobsites as shown in the slideshow above (click in the lower left corner to open), discussions were held about what attracted team members to their jobs and why they chose Pepper. Many comments were tied to the common themes of Pepper's people and how the family atmosphere that permeates the culture and business structure. In addition, employees like that we are united behind three core values - we always do the right thing, we always find a way and we always care.
Friday, October 18 – Community Engagement
As we wrap up Construction Inclusion Week, our focus turns to Community Engagement. This final theme ties everything we've discussed into the bigger picture of our impact beyond job sites and office walls. Every project we build and every team member across this city has the potential to transform the communities where we live and work.
In Illinois, our teams at Rich Township School District 227 and Oak Lawn School District 218 are giving students a unique "behind the scenes" tour of the work we are currently doing at their schools, followed by a presentation about Pepper and the architecture, engineering and construction industry. Engaging the community and encouraging the next generation of builders is how we ensure that the industry will continue to thrive in the future.
Indiana teammates are also engaging with young people in our local communities by hosting a discussion about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in construction at Ivy Tech, sponsoring a book drive at IPS Wendell Phillips Elementary School #63 and actively engaging with Built to Succeed and other trades programs to educated high school students about careers in construction. Outreach efforts will continue through the fall as we discuss construction and provide STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) activities for elementary school students.
Engaging with our communities builds a stronger, more connected future for everyone. We're proud to wrap up Construction Inclusion Week by reaffirming our commitment to improving quality of life for everyone through the built world.
