Lend Lease stands up for LGbt rights in construction
LEND LEASE, THE INTEGRATED PROPERTY AND INFRASTRUCTURE GROUP, HAS TEAMED UP WITH STONEWALL, THE LEADING LESBIAN, GAY AND BISEXUAL EQUALITY CHARITY, TO EMBRACE EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY IN THE PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
To mark the partnership, the global developer issued one thousand multi-coloured laces to its building sites across the UK to encourage workers to lace their boots with rainbow colours in support of an inclusive and diverse workforce. Builders atop the 13-storey Kings Gate and The Zig Zag Building, pictured, showed off their newly-laced boots, as well those working on Lend Lease ’s Elephant & Castle regeneration project, The International Quarter in Stratford, London’s largest new office development, and the Ark Putney Academy. Outside of London, Lend Lease operatives showed their support on the North Wales Prison in Wrexham, Beacon Barracks in Stafford and the Technology & Innovation Centre at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.
The campaign builds on Stonewall’s initiative this summer, which saw rainbow laces sent to every premiership footballer and professional club in Britain. More than 70 clubs supported the campaign either lacing up or via social media. YouGov polling shows that in the last five years 2.4 million people of working age have witnessed verbal homophobic bullying at work – and more than a quarter of lesbian, gay and bisexual people do not feel able to be open to colleagues about their sexual orientation.
The Lend Lease campaign addresses the lack of attention being paid to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community in the construction industry in an attempt to change attitudes and raise awareness of the benefits of an inclusive workforce. In Stonewall’s top 100 list of gay-friendly workplaces, the Workplace Equality Index, the construction and property industry are as yet unrepresented. Lend Lease aims to be the first in the sector to enter the top 100 in Britain. In Australia, where the company’s global HQ is located, Lend Lease is ranked ninth in the Australian Workplace Equality Index.
Lend Lease is working towards an environment of diversity and inclusion in its workplace, having introduced a number of LGBT initiatives. The company has launched the Lend Lease Allies Programme, providing an internal forum in which issues from across the business can be discussed openly. The firm is also engaging with Freehold, the networking group for LGBT professionals working in the real estate sector.
Speaking about Lend Lease’s initiatives Martin Coyd, Lend Lease’s Head of Health & Safety in Europe, and Chair of the Lend Lease Europe Diversity Council, said: “At Lend Lease, we pride ourselves on creating the best places and valuing the ways in which we differ.
“A diverse and inclusive culture makes good business sense. To perform at the best of our ability, we need a culture and an environment that embraces difference and where we can benefit from the diverse thinking, experiences and backgrounds of our people.
“When our industry becomes more inclusive, people can then be themselves, allowing them to reach their full potential. If we don’t embrace diversity, we will lose out on the talent, skills and experience that come with it.”
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