Construction Ethic and Racism
The construction industry is huge and important to the world economy. It directly employs more people around the world than any other industry, including agriculture. Construction is well-known for its proud and steadfast sense of ethics. The backbone of the industry’s ethics is a kinship among workers, whether they be skilled craftspeople or laborers. Construction organizations are made up of individuals that understand the importance of living and working as a team, on- and off-site. Unfortunately, these strong ties of ethics and community also harbor an open door for racism within the workplace. Racism undermines the trust and respect within an organization, creating a hostile and dangerous work environment.
Racism happens in both small and large construction sites. Prejudice exists even in sophisticated construction projects, where some workers may feel that a certain group of workers, usually from a minority, is not capable of handling certain tasks or roles. Discrimination is common, either out of ignorance or a desire to maintain control. In other cases, certain jobs are only open to people of a certain race or ethnicity. These acts of premeditated racism do not just hurt the victims; they harm everybody in the workplace, regardless of their skin color or origin.
Racism affects the entire construction industry by damaging productivity and safety protocols. Racism can even result in shoddy work, unsatisfactory materials, higher labor costs, and unsafe working conditions. Also, it diminishes the potential impact of an effective work ethic. A feeling of inequity and mistrust among workers can, in many cases, reduce productivity, leading to missed deadlines, budget overruns, and other liabilities. In an extreme case, a tense working environment can directly lead to physical altercations between workers, creating a dangerous, unpredictable situation.
Discrimination in the construction industry can be prevented in a variety of ways. First, equal opportunity should be taken seriously and practiced at all times, especially when it comes to hiring, compensation and promotions. Employees should be judged solely on their qualifications and the quality of the work they do, regardless of their race, gender, or background. Organizations should also invest in internal trainings that provide education about discrimination and racism, and promote a culture of respect and racial harmony.
Racism and discrimination have no place in the workplace. They undermine the principles of hard work, ethic, and trust that are beloved in the construction industry. Organizations must protect their workers and ensure that everyone is working in an environment that is safe and secure from racism, prejudice and hate. Furthermore, organizations should strive to foster trust and build relationships that reflect the core values of the construction industry. By doing so, they can create a better work atmosphere that is both productive and safe.
