Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Oftentimes when I speak to civil engineers who've left the profession, they speak of not feeling as though they belonged. No matter how much they enjoyed the work or encountered barriers, the lack of belonging was too much.

The article entitled "The Value of Belonging at Work" and was published in the Harvard Business Review on December 16, 2019. This piece delves into the fundamental human need for social belonging and how its absence in the workplace can lead to decreased organizational commitment and engagement.

It emphasizes that despite significant investments in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training, many companies overlook the essential aspect of fostering a sense of belonging among employees.

You can read the full article here: "The Value of Belonging at Work" The Value of Belonging at Work

What does “belonging” really mean at your job site or office?
Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong at work? What changed or what could’ve helped?

Harvard Business Review		remove preview
The Value of Belonging at Work Social belonging is a fundamental human need, hardwired into our DNA. And yet, 40% of people say that they feel isolated at work, and the result has been lower organizational commitment and engagement. U.S. businesses spend nearly $8 billion each year on diversity and inclusion (D&I) trainings that miss the mark because they neglect our need to feel included. View this on Harvard Business Review >

#Inclusionandbelonginginengineeringworkforce

------------------------------
Michele Heyward A.M.ASCE
Denmark SC
------------------------------

Thanks for posting and sharing this article, Michele. It helped me understand one of my failures as a manager -- fully fostering inclusion. I enforced  it through performance appraisals -- explicitly boosting employee's scores when they proactively engaged with new staff members (and conversely) -- but did not practice the technique of appointing mentors/allies to help integrate them into the workplace culture. My experience since then has shown the value of such appointed assistance. 

Bill Mc

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-19-2025 07:25 AM
From: Michele Heyward
Subject: The Value of Belonging at Work

Oftentimes when I speak to civil engineers who've left the profession, they speak of not feeling as though they belonged. No matter how much they enjoyed the work or encountered barriers, the lack of belonging was too much.

The article entitled "The Value of Belonging at Work" and was published in the Harvard Business Review on December 16, 2019. This piece delves into the fundamental human need for social belonging and how its absence in the workplace can lead to decreased organizational commitment and engagement.

It emphasizes that despite significant investments in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training, many companies overlook the essential aspect of fostering a sense of belonging among employees.

You can read the full article here: "The Value of Belonging at Work" The Value of Belonging at Work

What does "belonging" really mean at your job site or office?
Have you ever felt like you didn't belong at work? What changed or what could've helped?

Harvard Business Review		remove preview
The Value of Belonging at Work Social belonging is a fundamental human need, hardwired into our DNA. And yet, 40% of people say that they feel isolated at work, and the result has been lower organizational commitment and engagement. U.S. businesses spend nearly $8 billion each year on diversity and inclusion (D&I) trainings that miss the mark because they neglect our need to feel included. View this on Harvard Business Review >

#Inclusionandbelonginginengineeringworkforce

------------------------------
Michele Heyward A.M.ASCE
Denmark SC
------------------------------