Oregon Construction Employers Gain Free Culture Training
The new Respect Works program offers training and resources to help construction firms improve retention and reduce turnover costs.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Construction
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Oregon state agencies and Oregon Health and Science University have launched Respect Works, a program providing training and resources to construction firms. The initiative aims to reduce turnover by addressing harassment and exclusionary workplace conduct.
Why it matters
Harassment and incivility drive high turnover and cost firms significant productivity, making culture a critical factor in recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce. Improving workplace climate has become essential for construction employers to meet current labor demands.
Exclusionary workplace conduct costs construction firms an average of $137,000 annually in lost productivity. Meanwhile, research indicates that 73% of job seekers prioritize cultural alignment when choosing an employer.
The players
Bureau of Labor and Industries
An Oregon state agency responsible for enforcing labor laws and protecting worker rights.
Oregon Health and Science University
A public research university that provides academic and clinical expertise on occupational health.
Oregon Department of Transportation
The state agency that oversees the planning and maintenance of Oregon's multimodal transportation infrastructure.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The federal agency that enforces laws against workplace discrimination and harassment.
The details
The program offers Oregon-based construction companies that employ registered apprentices a suite of tools, including an implementation guidebook, jobsite surveys, and direct training resources. Developed by the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, the materials focus on mitigating workplace incivility. Employers access the program through confidential consultations via the Respect Works website or email.
Timeline
2013: Initial research published on employee responses to workplace incivility.
2022: BOLI and ODOT commissioned OHSU to design survey instruments.
2023: The research project expanded to include resource development.
2023: EEOC reported on harassment in construction.
October 26, 2026: Respect Works program officially announced.
Market Landscape
This initiative follows the 2023 Equal Employment Opportunity Commission report which identified harassment as a persistent issue within the construction sector. It signals a move by state agencies to shift from regulatory enforcement to providing direct operational tools for culture change.
Oregon construction employers with registered apprentices should audit their current onboarding and training programs against the Respect Works materials to reduce turnover costs. Monitoring internal survey data regarding workplace culture is now a key metric for managing overhead and retention.
The takeaway
Workplace culture is increasingly recognized as a measurable operational expense that impacts a firm’s ability to recruit and retain staff. Employers should evaluate their current culture-building initiatives against the tools provided by this program to identify potential gaps in their retention strategy.
Further reading
For more on the current challenges facing the state building sector, visit our guide on Construction.
More information
To access the training resources and consultation services, visit the Respect Works program website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cascade Business News.
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