Higley supports and recognizes the inaugural Construction Inclusion Week. We support our employees, subcontractors, and partners in furthering the mission of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in construction. Today, (October 19th, 2021) highlights the theme of Unconscious Bias:

“Education and understanding the implications of unconscious bias, is critical to cultivating a culture of inclusion and belonging.  It is important to recognize not all unconscious bias is bad and unconscious bias is an inherent trait of being human.  Unconscious bias is the brains way of efficiently filtering and organizing information.  In its simplest form it can be benign, helping us to easily decide what to have for lunch.  In its most complex form, it can be insidious, manifesting in reinforcing or enabling negative stereotypes.  In the first example we can quickly decide on the food we like.  In the latter example, this can lead to exclusionary and harmful behavior.  Defining unconscious bias, recognizing how it can manifest in the workplace and engaging steps to mitigate are the building blocks to creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.” - Construction Inclusion Week

One of Higley’s Core Values: RESPECT - shows up in the way we treat people of every race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. Regardless of mandated goals on a project, Higley believes that Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) and local participation has a direct relationship to the strength of our regional economy. Our commitment to the community is one that aims to create a D&I Program that truly adds value long after a project is complete.

In early 2020, several Higley employees founded an internal Diversity and Inclusion Committee with the objective of creating and continually improving an environment of inclusivity, reflective of the diverse communities and clients we serve. We foster a culture in which all employees can grow and succeed, and in which our differences are celebrated. This group actively works to further Higley’s objectives of:

• Providing a non-discriminatory environment for all Higley employees.
• Continually striving to create a workforce that varies by race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, social background, national origin, and veteran status.
• Actively engaging the subcontracting community to maintain a strong pool of diverse and historically disadvantaged subcontractors.
• Ensuring that the benefits of a construction project are equitably spread to the entire community it serves.

Higley believes in creating a non-discriminatory environment that fosters the success of all. It is up to each of us to acknowledge that everyone adds value, deserves respect, and is given the opportunity to contribute.