So, why does this matter aside from some abstract sense of fairness? Well, the construction industry has been experiencing an increasingly problematic labor shortage for years. Old-fashioned recruiting methods have repeatedly proven incapable of filling the gaps. The construction industry's future is diverse, or there isn't a future at all. Adapt or die. The groups that are being excluded by harassment, habit, or simply by "the normal way of doing business" represent untapped pools of talent. But it's a problem that clearly won't fix itself. You need to make an effort to recruit, train, and welcome people who may have avoided the trades in the past - either due to reputation or direct experience. The good news is that fostering an inclusive, equitable, and civil workplace won't just attract one or two types of candidates. People from all walks of life appreciate a workplace without hostility and harassment. If your company puts a visible effort into fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, you'll automatically appeal to younger workers of all backgrounds