International Women’s Day: inspiring inclusion in the workplace

Having been a part of the construction industry for more than two decades now, I have seen first-hand how inclusivity towards women has grown over the years.

And with this year’s International Women’s Day focusing on ‘inspiring inclusion’ and investing in women to accelerate progress, there is no better time to reflect on my journey into the industry, the leaps and strides women have made to be heard, and how we must collectively continue to progress for the sector to become a fully inclusive environment for all.

At my first job, 20 years ago, I had to travel to a nearby shopping centre just to access a female bathroom – a fitting indication of how few women there were in construction at the time.

This was a particularly daunting feat having just moved from Poland to the UK, where I struggled to find a job initially but was determined to be part of a sector that I was – and remain – passionate about.

I couldn’t be happier that those days are long gone – and it is difficult to picture a situation like that repeating itself.

Those experiences have shaped who I am today and have made me so proud to be a woman of minority background in a senior position, something that would have been almost unthinkable back then.

I could never have imagined that I would go on to eventually be named Best Contractor at the European Women in Construction and Engineering Awards; recognised for my hard work and for being a voice for women in the sector – a sign that the industry has developed significantly since the early days of my career.

Alongside the recognition of women in the industry as capable, strong and empowered individuals, policies employed by contractors have also adapted and evolved to foster the inclusion of women.

Even starting with small but powerful policies – such as ensuring female sanitary products are stocked in bathrooms at every site – can help women feel like we truly belong.

On a broader scale, the long hours and lack of flexibility that were typical of jobs in construction are now much less of an issue.

Flexible working policies have been largely made permanent following the Covid-19 pandemic, affording women the ability to balance work and personal responsibilities which can often disproportionately fall on them.

It is vital that companies implement policies that allow for flexibility in workloads and accommodate women who need to juggle different aspects of their lives.

Despite these leaps and bounds, it is crucial to still remember that inclusion is not a moment, but rather a mindset.

To ensure the long-term implementation of these policies, contractors and firms must not only introduce policies to accommodate women’s varying needs, but also invest in the training required for managers to create an inclusive and understanding workplace for women at every stage of their careers.

From introducing a Gender Equality Network that has informed the development of our industry-leading 26-week parental leave package for all parents, to guidance and policies regarding menopause, baby loss and period dignity – Sir Robert McAlpine has taken practical measures to support women in the industry, while understanding that there is always room to do more.

There is still room, for instance, to ensure that we, as women, are rewarded for our talent and hard work, not just for the simple fact we are women.

The industry must recognise that we deserve everything we work for because of our effort and dedication to our jobs.

And as a result, all women in the industry should also be afforded equal promotion rights, and equal pay, when compared with others.

While there is still some way to go to ensure absolute inclusion of women in the industry, our future is looking bright – the volume of female CEOs appointed in the past year industry-wide is a clear indication of our upward trajectory.

My biggest piece of advice for aspiring women in construction? Don’t be afraid to speak up – your voice deserves to be heard.

Joanna Kuzelewska MCIOB is a senior design manager at Sir Robert McAlpine.