A contractor's perspective on diversity

Abstract

As a contractor, it is difficult to become an employer of choice. A reputation for and history of attracting and retaining the best of breed people is much harder to forge in an environment where additional layers of cost make the difference between winning and losing business. Yet, it is through a variety of perspectives, gender, and culture that stimulation, productivity, creativity and, innovation happens. All of which are essential to building advantages necessary in today’s market. It is one thing to have stated policies to employ people irrespective of gender, nationality, background, age, physical ability, or sexual orientation. It is quite another to have the necessary business practices and cultural norms that accommodate a diverse range of people. These support networks add additional layers of cost onto any business, and as a contractor, they filter through into contracts. A competitive environment where total costs is the first and foremost consideration takes away the ability to forge shared value for our industry and communities at large. To embrace Diversity in our industry, it is necessary for supply chains to work together with the common goal of improving the participation of a diverse group of people and industry participants having the ability to provide the support networks enabling them to do their best.