b'WORKPLACE CULTUREIts time to rethink By Matthew BradfordEMPLOYEE VALUES Why we need to reinvent workplace culture to thrive in the marketplace of the futureT hepandemichasalteredmanysuch as work-life balance, fair compensation,known the job to be demanding. But todays aspects of the construction work- and diversity and inclusion were all gainingemployees are emerging from the pandemic force.Whilethefullextentofresonancebeforethepandemic.Now,withlesspatienceforlonghoursand those changes is still taking shape,however,theyhavebecomeanimportantdemanding work. its clear that both employee andpart of what defines an employer of choice. employer values have evolved.Affording greater work-life balance can be Asoneofmycolleaguesputit,theThis,saysJimThornton,territorya difficult task for an industry with long days pandemic has allowed individuals to rethinkmanagerforToromont,issomethingthatand hard work built into its DNA. There is the value of an organizations values, saysaggregate employers must keep in mind asstill a lot of old guard around who are used JordanRodney,presidentofMaxPeoplethey struggle to find skilled talent. We keepto the lifestyle of waking up at six in the HR.Inthepast,companyvaluesweregoing to the market looking for people, butmorning and coming home at seven at night. just hung on a wall or posted on a website,were not necessarily asking ourselves whatIts what theyre used to, and they dont want and they werent really given much weight.they want, says Thornton. The generationtochange,buttodaysgenerationwont More recently, though, values have becomethatsouttherelookingforconstructionaccept that philosophy, says Thornton.essential in how organizations differentiatehaschoices,sowehavetoaskourselves themselves from others.WhywouldsomeonewanttoworkatWhatwilltodaysgenerationaccept? aquarrycomparedtootherjobs?WhatThatsaquestionRodneyhasbeen Thisrenewedfocusonvalueshasalsovalues are they looking for, and how can weinvestigating with clients across all industries. impactedthesuccessofcompaniesinmatchthose? Inconstruction,asinmanysectors,the weatheringtheCOVID-19pandemic.answerisarrangementsthatdobetterto Those that genuinely live and breathe theirFINDING BALANCE accommodate an employees personal life, be values, and understand the expectations andWork-life balance has surfaced as one of theit schedules that enable workers to be more behaviours of their people, fared better overmostimportantvaluestodaytoemerginginvolvedwiththeirfamily,morevacation COVID and continue to have a better chanceindustry talent. In the case of the aggregatetime,orremoteemploymentoptionsfor atattractingtalent,addsRodney.Valuesindustry, pit and quarry crews have alwaysstaff who dont need to be in the field. 12 AVENUESWINTER 2022'