Building Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Organizational Culture to
Support Worker Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Qualitative Study of
Employer and Worker Perspectives in Ontario Construction Skilled
Trades

Building Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Organizational Culture to
Support Worker Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Qualitative Study of
Employer and Worker Perspectives in Ontario Construction Skilled
Trades

Construction industry
Diversity
Gender equity
Mental health
Qualitative research

This study explored Ontario construction skilled trades employer and worker perspectives
on workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and the promotion of worker mental health and
wellbeing through building DEI organizational culture.
Methods: A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted. Fifty-two (N = 52) participants were
recruited and interviewed. Interview data were analyzed using a six-step thematic approach.
Results: Three themes were developed: 1) Challenges in organizational culture: participants reported that
sexism and biased beliefs on the professional competency of workers from under-represented groups
were prevalent within their organizations. Participants highlighted business leadership’s role in building
DEI organizational culture and addressing issues that have affected their organizational reputations and
worker retention. 2) Barriers to promoting DEI: a meritocratic hiring approach was identified and
restricted the opportunities for under-represented groups. Participants identified a lack of accommodations available in their workplace environment, and some reported lacking awareness of DEI-related
issues. 3) Strategies to promote DEI: participants suggested that increasing early career opportunities
could help apprentices from under-represented groups build experience and make informed career
decisions. These opportunities may also help employers understand an apprentice’s qualifications.
Establishing various resources and peer support systems to support the mental health and wellbeing of
under-represented workers was also suggested.
Conclusion: Multiple challenges existed within the current skilled trades organizational culture,
including sexism, biases, hiring barriers, and insufficient accommodations and awareness. Creating
career opportunities and social support systems is needed to address these challenges and support
worker mental health and wellbeing

Zhiyang Shi 1
, Aaron Howe 1
, Maryam Shahzad 1,2
, Ali Bani-Fatemi 1
, Beatrice Sharkey 3
,
Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia 1

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University of Toronto, Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Toronto, ON, Canada 2 Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada 3Ontario Electrical League, Etobicoke, ON, Canada 4 Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada 5 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada 6 Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada

12 August 2025

Fajar Bagus Wijanarko

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