Why are residential home services and new construction professionals still hiding behind badges and tool belts?
Building diversity.
Each June, many home services and building industry professionals may notice an increase of rainbow flags in neighborhoods across America. Or perhaps a dark navy flag with white equal sign icon catches your eye. Know that it’s ‘Pride Season’.
These households and businesses are not waiting for a leprechaun to provide a pot of gold. They are not members of the local math club. They are not market testing new corporate logo’s or liveries. Instead, they are fair-minded people and organizations who might believe ALL individuals deserve the same services, responsibilities and benefits as heterosexual individuals. They are welcoming; neighbors, businesses, places of worship, and places of learning.
Why are residential home services and new construction professionals still hiding behind their badges and tool belts?
We are Sales Professionals. We are Operations Professionals. We are Marketing Professionals. We are Supply Chain Professionals.
We are human.
Granted, some walk into a corporate office everyday to find Fox News on every common area monitor. Many are forced to listen to childish jokes about “playing for the other team” or “hair styles”. Most are forced to refer to spouse or significant other as a ‘roommate’. If an individual does not ‘present’ as a heterosexual woman or man, they historically might find it difficult to be fully accepted as a building industry or trade professional…regardless of your credentials or contribution.
Change is coming.
During the month of June each year, an increasing number of businesses modify their corporate logo to include colors of the rainbow to show their support, and commitment to diversity and inclusion of people that do not self identify as heterosexual. Companies like American Airlines, Accenture, Nike, and Control4 have taken significant steps to end workplace discrimination.
Last year, Schneider Electric shocked a few us industry professionals with a bold and deliberate message. For some, it was offensive. For the rest of us, we viewed this as a remarkable step forward for the entire controls industry that provide energy saving solutions for homes and buildings across North America, LATAM, and EMEA. Bravo to Schneider Electric!
Take a look at the Schneider Electric LinkedIN post, and equality important, the hateful comments from folks struggling with the gesture.
It gets better.
If you’re not fortunate enough to work for a supportive employer like Schneider, you should consider one of these three options:
- Quit. You deserve better. Look at the HRC Equality Index to identify a company with the highest ratings and take your talent to a wold-class organization that demonstrates equality for all employees.
- Raise your hand. In many cases, organizations have competing priorities and may not understand that the current work environment is hostile and/or unsafe for some highly valued team members. Schedule a meeting with a trusted advisor or Human Resources professional within your organization.
- Stay unauthentic. Continue presenting as heterosexual until you have visibility to a better situation. You know your situation best and need to make the best decision for you and your family.
In conclusion.
Whether you’re developing business with Lennar Homes, installing a Nest Thermostat, stocking shelves at at Johnstone Supply, or designing the next Smart Home Operating System at Control4, you create value and deserve to be treated fairly. The professional trades might be one of the toughest industries to feel welcome, but its getting better as individuals become more authentic, and hearts and minds change with senior leaders.
One thing is certain, technology leaders like Control4, Google and Amazon (for example), promote diversity and inclusion, and looking towards the professional trades for expansion into the home…and looking for talented home services and installation Pro’s like you.
No matter what flag you raise, fly it with pride.
Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.
