Respectful Workplace Initiative: Workplace Climate Scale & Resource Hub
Helping organizations find solutions for workforce retention in Oregon's construction industry.
The Respectful Workplace Initiative, a partnership between the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), and the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), aims to equip the construction industry with new evidenced-based tools and resources to develop and retain their workforce.
A respectful workplace is one in which all employees feel safe, valued, and treated with respect.
While some construction companies have initiated culture improvement efforts, there remains a gap in assessing progress and providing evidenced-based support. The Respectful Workplace Initiative addresses this gap by introducing two innovative tools: the Respectful Workplace Climate Scale and the Respectful Workplace Resource Hub. These tools will work in tandem to evaluate and improve construction work site culture.
Respectful Workplace Climate Scale
The Respectful Workplace Climate Scale will be a scientifically validated and predictive tool that measures employees’ perceptions of company policies, procedures, and practices as they relate to building a respectful workplace. The Scale was developed by Dr. Emily Huang at the Climate Safety Laboratory at Oregon Health and Science University.
The Scale is designed to:
- Evaluate the status of your organization and recommend areas in need of improvement
- Establish a benchmark and track the progress of your organization
- Validate the effects of your efforts to build a respectful workplace
Respectful Workplace Resource Hub
The Respectful Workplace Resource Hub will be an online repository of evidence- based and evidence-informed tools, training, and frameworks for construction companies seeking to adopt and implement respectful workplace practices. The Resource Hub is designed to address challenges highlighted by the Respectful Workplace Climate Scale.
Respectful Workplace Initiative Resources and Information
Respectful Workplace Initiative: Info and FAQ
The Respectful Workplace Initiative offers tools and resources to develop and retain a diverse construction workforce.
Assessing workplace culture and climate for safety
Dr. Emily Huang discusses how the tools she develops can be used to help organizations measure their safety, health, and respectful workplace climates.
RWI Blog Post
A partnership between Dr. Huang’s Safety Climate Lab and state agencies supports the development of a new tool to measure respectful climates in construction workplaces.
Interested in the Respectful Workplace Initiative? Contact:
Erin Flynn, Ph.D.
Director, Outreach Operations
Email: flynne@ohsu.edu