Building Respectful Workplaces: Addressing GBVH in the Construction Industry

Dec 4

At the Washington State Construction Center of Excellence (CCE), we are proud to serve as the convening hub for Washington’s construction industry. By fostering partnerships among businesses, labor organizations, government agencies, and education systems, our mission is clear: to strengthen workforce development, eliminate barriers to skilled trades, and prepare a diverse, knowledgeable workforce that reflects and supports the communities we serve.

On December 5th, as part of a panel for USDOL’s Women’s Bureau, I will be addressing an issue that not only threatens workplace safety but also undermines the integrity of our industry: Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH). GBVH is pervasive in many industries, but in construction, the stakes are particularly high. Rates of GBVH are disproportionately high and, even more troubling, incidents often go unreported due to fear of retaliation or stigma.

Why Education About GBVH Matters

Educating workers, supervisors, and employers about GBVH is the first step toward dismantling the systemic barriers that allow harassment to persist. Here's why it matters:

High Rates, Low Reporting Construction workplaces report alarmingly high rates of GBVH. However, these incidents often remain unreported due to fear of retaliation, stigma, or unclear reporting processes. Without education, this cycle of silence continues.
Safety Risks GBVH fosters hostility and distraction on sites where focus is critical. A single moment of lost concentration can result in serious accidents, putting everyone on the job at risk.
Mental and Emotional Toll Harassment negatively impacts mental health, causing anxiety, stress, and reduced productivity. These effects ripple through teams, affecting morale and project outcomes.
Industry Retention Many women, LGBTQ individuals, and persons of color leave the industry due to unaddressed harassment. This loss of talent not only diminishes diversity but exacerbates workforce shortages, an issue the construction industry can ill afford.

By equipping workers and leaders with the tools to recognize and prevent GBVH, we can create safer, more equitable workplaces.

Practical Strategies to Combat GBVH

To effectively address GBVH, we need actionable strategies that empower individuals to drive meaningful change. At the CCE, we focus on three key approaches:

1. Toolbox Talks: A Critical Educational Tool

Toolbox talks are a cornerstone of construction safety and education. These short, 10- to 15-minute conversations held before the workday begins offer a consistent platform to address GBVH.

Impactful Conversations: They provide a space to discuss workplace behavior, set clear expectations, and empower workers to act as allies and bystanders.
Building a Culture of Respect: Regular talks normalize discussions about respect, accountability, and safety, making it clear that harassment and violence have no place in the industry.
Accessible for All: Because toolbox talks happen onsite and involve everyone, they are an effective way to ensure consistent messaging across teams.

Incorporating GBVH education into these talks creates a culture where workers feel supported and respected, and where inappropriate behavior is consistently addressed.

2. Training and Educational Opportunities

The CCE hosts robust training opportunities throughout the year, partnering with key industry leaders to drive progress. Two cornerstone events include:

Enlighten Women’s Forum: A platform for addressing the unique challenges and opportunities for women in construction. This event tackles topics like harassment prevention and creating leadership pathways for women.
Diversity & Inclusion Summit: A gathering of professionals committed to fostering equity in construction workplaces. Participants share actionable strategies to build inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.

These events bring together workers, employers, and advocates to share best practices, learn from one another, and build an industry-wide commitment to safe, respectful workplaces.

3. Collaborative Leadership

The CCE works closely with businesses, apprenticeship systems, labor unions, and educational institutions to address GBVH at every level. By uniting these groups, we ensure that anti-GBVH strategies are embedded in policies, training, and workplace culture across Washington state.

Call to Action: Building a Better Future

The construction industry is the backbone of our communities. We build the homes, schools, and infrastructure that shape daily life. But to build a strong future, we must first create safe, respectful workplaces for the people who make it possible.

By incorporating GBVH education into toolbox talks, hosting training opportunities like the Enlighten Women’s Forum and Diversity & Inclusion Summit, and fostering collaboration among industry leaders, the CCE is driving real change. But we can’t do it alone—progress requires action from every one of us.

Whether you’re an employer, worker advocate, or part of a community organization, you have the power to make a difference. Visit our website at www.constructioncoe.com to learn more about our work and how you can get involved.

Together, we can create a construction industry where safety, respect, and inclusion are the cornerstones of every job site. Let’s build a better future—one that reflects the strength and diversity of the communities we serve.