How to build crews even greater than the sum of their parts

What can culture do for a workplace?

At AGC, we believe it can do a lot. In fact, we maintain that we can build a stronger workforce for the future by investing in best practices today. That’s the thesis behind our Culture of CARE initiative, a program we’ve discussed before in these pages but deserves further promotion on the merits. We want our members to feel the benefit of a workplace culture defined by respect, diversity and professional development, and we’re putting forward the tools to make that happen.

This video captures the spirit of the Culture of CARE (short for Commit, Attract, Retain and Empower) in its basis as a diversity program. But this program isn’t a shallow attempt at simply boosting hiring quotas or other basic metrics. Rather, it’s an approach grounded in a solid business argument that identifies jobsite diversity as an asset for any firm. The analysis holds that hiring and retaining a diverse workforce gives us a more well-rounded perspective suited to handling the challenges of a dynamic industry like construction. At the same time, promoting a welcoming and inclusive workplace culture can create stronger, tighter-knit crews that meet the needs of individuals while pulling together for a unit greater than the sum of its parts.

If that sounds good to you, we’d like to invite you to take this pledge and keep it in mind as you move forward.

“We pledge to commit our leadership and resources to fostering a Culture of CARE at every level and in all aspects of our organization. Through this commitment, we seek to attract and promote diversity in our industry, retain and value human relationships and empower every employee to harness and engage the power of diversity for the benefit of our industry and community.”

Take a look at the companies that have taken the pledge with us. See any of your peers in there? These firms have taken the first step in building a workforce that can withstand change and make industry as a whole stronger than ever. Once you’ve made the pledge, we can focus on best practices to help your organization develop your own culture tailor-made for your circumstances.

From tested strategies to hire for diversity, to those aimed at preventing harassment and discrimination in the workplace, AGCW is committed to giving you the resources needed to be successful. Join us and see what the Culture of CARE can do for you!