Fostering Unity in the Construction Industry: Field Appreciation 2023

One of the fundamental attributes of an efficient workforce is teamwork. Effective teamwork not only increases productivity, but also creates a positive workplace culture where team members can freely share ideas and collaborate on innovative solutions. It is especially valuable in fast-paced fields, where time is of the essence and decisions must be communicated among a large and complex workforce. This is particularly true in the construction industry, where decisions must be made by a team of stakeholders, before a project can even begin.

Many employers design open workspaces to foster this communal culture in the office, but in the construction industry, where a majority of employees work in the field, it can be difficult to create this type of cooperative environment. This can lead to instances of miscommunication and disconnect between workers in the office and those in the field. Furthermore, it can lead field employees to feel isolated from the greater culture of an organization.

Bridging the Gap Between the Office and the Field

To overcome barriers to effective teamwork and connect workers across different environments, companies must ensure that all employees recognize and value the   inherent complexities and challenges unique to various roles. This is exactly what EDA’s Field Appreciation sets out to do.

Each year throughout the Fall, EDA’s office employees visit jobsites to express gratitude to field employees and treat them with lunch. Through this experience, office employees learn more about the day-to-day challenges faced by workers in the field, as well as how to best support them in their daily needs. Furthermore, field and office employees are given the opportunity to get to know each other on a more personal level, developing stronger relationships and learning to work better as a team. It is by fostering this sense of trust and mutual respect among workers that EDA creates a more productive workforce where every employee feels appreciated and a part of the team.

2023 Field Appreciation

In the Fall of 2023, over 80 office employees visited numerous job sites to share lunch with their field colleagues. Thank you to all for showing up with a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and eagerness to have a great time!