In many circles, the discourse on why social justice and equity matter in business focuses on why it is good for business, meaning profit. Some of this discourse also addresses the benefits to employees, customers, and communities, but primarily as it leads to increased productivity and profit for the organization. While there is, indeed, a strong business case for embedding social justice and equity into company policies and practices, the real reason for doing so is much simpler and more profound: It is the right thing to do; it is “what good looks like.”
With growing acknowledgment of the profound injustices that permeate our societies at all levels, the value and import of this work become more apparent. Many organizations in the building industry are waking up to these issues and/or a deepening desire to address them, but need a guiding framework to help them get started and keep growing. For individuals, the best place to start on this journey is with self-reflection and personal work. This holds true for organizations as well. The best way for organizations to begin their social justice and equity is by taking a close look inward—to examine the current state of their own employee experience and operations and to start transforming their internal policies and practices.
