Respect Works is a jobsite improvement program designed for the construction industry that offers assessment tools, education, on-line training, and workplace resources to support the creation of respectful jobsites where people stay, perform, and thrive.
Why the Respect Works program?
The construction industry is experiencing severe labor challenges. It is estimated that the industry needs to recruit a net of 350,000 new workers by 2027 to meet labor shortage demands, and employee mental health remains an ongoing crisis with rates of suicide and drug addiction far higher than other industry averages. Research shows that creating and maintaining respectful workplaces is one of the most effective strategies to improve employee recruitment, retention, and mental health.
When workers feel respected and are treated fairly on the jobsite, they are more likely to stay, engage, and perform – while poor jobsite culture drives stress, burnout, and turnover. Respect Works training gives jobsite leaders the tools to set a positive tone, every day, on every crew.
The Respect Works program is built around the four core elements of a respectful workplace:
Psychological
Safety
Civility and Professionalism
Welcoming Workplaces
Fairness
For All
On this site you'll find everything you need to implement the program: an implementation guidebook, a jobsite survey, on-line training, and jobsite resources including toolbox talks, need-to-know worksheets, and a Respectful Workplace project plan outline.
Guidebook
The Respect Works Guidebook highlights the benefits of a respectful workplace and provides a step-by-step guide for rolling out the Respect Works program across your organization. Learn more about the Guidebook.
Jobsite Survey
The Respect Works Jobsite Survey is a key component of the Respect Works program. The scale is the first scientifically validated tool in existence to measure respectful workplace climate. Learn more about the Respect Works Jobsite Survey.
Training
Respect Works training prepares jobsite leaders to foster a culture of respect. It provides practical skills that can be incorporated into daily routines, transforming the way teams interact and perform. This is the core of the Respect Works program. Learn more about the jobsite leader training.
Resources
Assessment tools to take the temperature of your jobsite climate and evaluate progress; hands-on resources for office and jobsite leaders, including templates, checklists, and toolbox talks. Access resources and templates.
What sets us apart...
Respect Works training is developed through the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University, grounded in large-scale occupational research and rigorous, peer-reviewed data — not generic corporate training. It's also been shaped directly by the construction industry, with input from jobsite leaders and workers, so the training reflects real jobsite conditions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
