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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.
