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Construction Week publishes guide to promote greater diversity
The UK’s largest event for the built environment, UK Construction Week, has released a new guide for its exhibitors to promote greater equality, diversity and inclusion in their marketing at the show.
UKCW says it believes this is the first time that any major trade show has set standards on diversity, including the use of promotional staff on exhibition stands. The move is aimed at changing the image of the industry and making it more inclusive of different groups, including women.
The new guide has been created with the help of a new steering committee, made up of representatives from all parts of the industry who attend the show, including Balfour Beatty’s senior planner and LGBT Network co-chair, the Group HR and diversity manager at Willmott Dixon, and diversity and inclusion director at RICS.
Nathan Garnett, Director of UK Construction Week says: “We want the show to be lively, fun and engaging, and these measures should not be interpreted as restrictions upon that. Promoting a more diverse and inclusive image of construction is a joyful thing.
“But the fear of getting it wrong is holding the construction industry back from a frank conversation about diversity, equality and inclusion…No-one can deny that the construction sector has more work to do in this area than most. The business case is clear, the moral case undeniable, so now is the time. It is for this reason UK Construction Week has made a commitment to change and to promote the benefits of diversity for the advantage of the whole construction sector.”
The new guide from UKCW sets out an exhibitor code of conduct, including on stand design and themes, and the staffing of stands. Exhibitors are encouraged to “Consider the mix of staff you have on the stand (gender, age, ethnicity etc). Do they represent the diversity of your company, and if not, be prepared to explain why not”. Standards also cover issues such as clothing worn by promotional staff and the activities on stands.
It also warns that if an exhibitor’s stand theme is deemed inappropriate or non-compliant with the UKCW equality, diversity and inclusion policy, they may not be permitted to open their stand at the event.
Meanwhile, the British Film Industry has published its first Set of Principles and Guidance to tackle bullying and harassment, specifically tailored to the screen industries in response to the urgent and systemic issues revealed in the wake of the allegations against Harvey Weinstein. The guidance has been developed by the BFI in partnership with BAFTA and in consultation with organisations including guilds, unions, industry member bodies and key agencies as well as employees and freelancers across all roles. From April, a new Film and TV Support Line from the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund will be set up, free of charge for anyone working in the film and television industry.
The BFI says the Set of eight Principles cover a shared responsibility to respect others, adopt a zero tolerance approach to bullying and harassment, adhere to the laws around equality and health and safety, protect victims and witnesses, respect confidentiality, ensure that rigorous processes are in place for reporting and underline the value of inclusivity.
The Principles and Guidance will be incorporated in the BFI’s Diversity Standards. BAFTA previously announced that the Diversity Standards will become part of the eligibility criteria for the British categories at the Film Awards in 2019.
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