A time of reflection and change to #BreakTheBias

In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, and this year’s theme, #BreaktheBias, we are featuring stories from our ED&I leaders across the globe from March 1 – 8. Learn more about how AECOM is breaking the bias for our employees and communities, by following our conversations on LinkedIn and Twitter, as well as the AECOM Blog.

We live in an ever-changing world, and it is up to us – as individuals and as an organization – to help lead the change toward a more equitable future.  

In recent years, we have prioritized and facilitated talking about gender bias and the importance of true equity in our society and workplaces. This indicates there is learning and growth happening in this space, and that is fantastic! While it is important to celebrate successes along the way, we must also understand that acknowledging the need for change is the first step. 

We recognize that gender biases are still strong across our industry. We are doing our part by making meaningful strides toward developing and implementing programs that break the bias in the workplace. As part of our Sustainable Legacies strategy, we build safe and respectful work environments where our employees are invited to bring their talents, backgrounds and expertise to bear on some of the world’s most complex challenges and where everyone can thrive both personally and professionally.  To ensure our people feel supported at AECOM and have access to equitable opportunities, we have implemented several programs across the globe, including:

• A reverse mentoring program that enables our leaders to learn more about our organization, employees and culture through the eyes of our people 
• An employee resource group in the Americas for gender equality, Women’s Leadership Alliance, with another being established in Europe 
• Networking and mentoring forums for women called mCircles, active across several countries 
• A “returnship” program that provides opportunities for job seekers who are returning to the workforce after a career break 
• An active, formal sponsorship program that supports the continued career development of women 
• Ongoing review of our processes including promotions, pay equity and career development opportunities  
• Unconscious bias training for all employees  
• Our Freedom to Grow framework offers the flexibility employees need to do their best, deliver for clients, and bring their whole selves to work
• Coming soon, inclusive hiring training for all hiring managers on how to recognize and disrupt bias in the talent pipeline  

International Women’s Day is a time of reflection, to stop and celebrate the progress we have made as a global community, as each of us becomes more mindful of others’ experiences and understand that we all bring unique value to our community and workplaces.  

We choose how we interact or empathize with others, and we decide what behaviors we need to unlearn to move forward.  

Breaking the bias takes initiative and determination, an open mind in how we see the world, and – importantly – a willingness to change.