Creating a culture of diversity & inclusion at Fletcher Building Australia
May is diversity & inclusion month at Groov! We pass the mic to one of our customers, Fletcher Building Australia, to hear what it’s doing to champion diversity & inclusion.
If you’re at the beginning of your diversity & inclusion journey, it’s important to “start slow” says Jordyn McCosker, Senior Learning and Organisational Development Advisor at Fletcher Building Australia.
“Diversity & inclusion is a culture change. You’re working with people’s existing mindsets and behaviours. If you move too quickly and introduce many new things at once, people are more likely to resist,” explains Jordyn.
She adds that it’s also important to take the time to truly understand a diverse range of perspectives before implementing any initiatives.
“Really take the time to research, explore, and consult with communities – working with them so you’re not going down a path that isn’t representative of the group you’re trying to create a solution for.”
In essence, diversity & inclusion is a long-term commitment. It requires consistency, an open mind, and plenty of patience. Jordyn is proud of Fletcher Building Australia’s continued efforts in this space, especially in the context of Covid.
“The last two years have been very challenging with Covid and virtual working. But we didn’t put diversity & inclusion on the back burner. We haven’t stopped at any point,” says Jordyn.
Walking the talk
Some of Fletcher Building Australia’s current diversity & inclusion initiatives include:
Unconscious bias training
Inclusive leadership training
A focus on gender equity
Weaving diversity & inclusion throughout internal comms
Diversity & inclusion and workplace wellbeing
The organisation is also focusing on workplace wellbeing, which goes hand-in-hand with diversity & inclusion.
“When you have a culture of wellbeing, people are more innovative, engaged, and productive – and they also feel more valued and respected, and feel safe to voice their concerns and take risks,” explains Jordyn.
There’s always a lot to do across both diversity & inclusion and workplace wellbeing, but Jordyn reiterates that progress is better than perfection.
“People often don’t know where to start – and I’m still learning – but small actions do have a bigger impact than you think.”
