The Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) has released a best practice guide with tips and strategies to help build a more positive workplace culture on construction sites, improve satisfaction of employees and boost productivity.
“Construction employers and other industry stakeholders have a moral obligation to cultivate a positive and collaborative workplace culture as well as a legal responsibility to safeguard workers from acts of racism, harassment and violence in the workplace,” said RESCON president Richard Lyall. “This best practice guide will help them understand why it is critical to have a corporate environment where teamwork, safety and efficiency are paramount, and how it can benefit them both from a safety perspective and financially.”
The nine-page guide outlines the strategic advantages of promoting a positive workplace culture and provides tactics on how to lay the foundations for change by cultivating conflict resolution skills, addressing contentious topics, creating buy-in and facilitating open communication spaces. It also offers tips for toolbox talks and what to do before, during and after a talk.
Under the Ontario Human Rights Code and Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), employers are legally required to have a policy that addresses workplace violence and harassment and conduct an annual review of the document. In instances of workplace harassment at sites, work-related events or within the workplace, employers, supervisors and workers can be held accountable under the OHSA and human rights code.
“It is widely accepted and proven that diversity improves workplace culture, productivity and employee satisfaction,” said Andrew Pariser, RESCON vice president.
Research has shown that investing in a positive workplace culture with a supportive and inclusive environment boosts employee morale and productivity and overall job satisfaction. Read the RESCON Best Practice Guide.