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GroundBreak Carolinas

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Featured | Workforce

Carolinas AGC Embraces Inclusiveness, Encourages Members to Take “Culture of Care” Pledge

by GroundBreak Staff Report on

Carolinas AGC (CAGC) is excited to share information about a new national AGC initiative intended to help make the construction industry environment an even better place to work. Culture of CARE, a joint initiative of AGC of America and AGC of Washington in Spring 2020, is challenging leaders to take a bold and visible step toward ensuring their workplaces are welcoming, safe, and inclusive for an increasingly diverse and talented pool of workers.

The word “CARE” represents the following ideas:

  • COMMIT to hire and pay based on skill and experience regardless of ethnicity, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation.
  • ATTRACT prospective employees by creating inclusive workplaces that are free from harassment, hazing and bullying.
  • RETAIN high-performing employees by identifying and removing barriers to advancement.
  • EMPOWER every employee to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion.

“We encourage our member firms across the Carolinas to join this effort by taking the Culture of CARE pledge. When companies sign the pledge, Culture of CARE provides them with tools and resources to help establish a Culture of CARE in their workplaces,” said Dave Simpson, CEO, Carolinas AGC.

Simpson went on to say, “Companies that commit to a Culture of CARE are not passively thinking about their company culture. They are actively working to ensure that every employee – from the CEO to the laborer – has the opportunity to feel valued, respected, and heard. Companies who commit to a Culture of CARE believe that everyone has the right to a work environment that is free from harassment, hazing and bullying.” Simpson signed the pledge on behalf of CAGC and is urging all Carolinas members to do the same. 

“It’s more than signing a pledge,” said Brynn Huneke, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for AGC of America. “We all need to be committed to providing training and the resources needed to ensure the workplace is inclusive and safe for everyone.”

When asked “Where do we go from here?” in promoting inclusiveness, Edison Cassels, President of Edison Foard in Charlotte, acknowledged there is still a lot of work to do.

“Keep listening and put yourself in someone else’s shoes,” urged Johnny Ortiz, Diversity Coordinator with Skanska.  “When leadership shares messages of inclusiveness people take it seriously.”

Now more than ever the message of “inclusiveness” is resonating across the country and the world.  “People just want to be heard,” said Lasenta Lewis, President and CEO of LLC Construction in SC and past Chair of the Minority Contractors of SC.

CAGC will be continuing the conversation by assigning next steps to the Diversity and Inclusion Committee led by staff member Betsy Bailey.  There will also be a strong effort to reach out to members encouraging them to take the Culture of Care Pledge.

GroundBreak Carolinas readers can view the list of Impact Champions who have already taken the pledge. For more information, visit www.BuildCulture.org