7. Advocating in the Construction Industry and inspiring change for the better with Alison Mirams

Alison Mirams is an inspiring leader with a focus on diversity, inclusivity, and wellbeing at the workplace. Having worked in the construction industry for 25 years, Alison is on a mission to address the systemic issues in the industry to help attract and retain women. In this episode, Alison shares her experience advocating for a 5 day work week and the positive impact she has seen from this initiative. According to Alison, the standard working hours expected in the construction industry discourages women from participating. Highlighting that the female participation rate in the construction industry has not changed in the last 35 years. She also adds that it has the second highest gender pay gap, high divorce rate, and suicide rates.Alison discusses industry push backs she had to overcome while promoting the five day work week sharing that she saw a direct correlation between reduced work hours and safer work sites.Mentored by two males over her career, Alison shares the importance of having a coach or a mentor to turn to. She has comfort in admitting what she does not know, and believes leaders today get in trouble because they feel like they have to know everything.Lauren and Alison also discuss the realities of the gender pay gap in the construction industry. You can connect with Alison Mirams on LinkedIn.  About your host: Lauren Karan, Director and Founder of Karan & Co. With over a decade of experience as a recruiter and development coach, Lauren Karan found that her priorities rapidly changed after the birth of her two children. In 2022 she founded Karan & Co flipping the out-dated recruitment model with a focus on retention through career coaching and development. Lauren believes that If opportunity doesn't knock, you have to build a door - and it's this same philosophy that inspired her to create the Building Doors podcast.  The Building Doors podcast is for anyone undergoing a transformation in their life. Regardless of whether you feel stuck in your current role, need some inspiration on what steps to take next, want to learn how to level up as a business owner or simply want to listen to the experiences of successful entrepreneurs and industry professionals, the Building Doors podcast is all about unlocking your potential.Help someone else Build Doors in their career💕 Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts 🙏 Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Spotify Get more help to Build Doors in your own life 🎬 Follow us on LinkedIn  📝 Building Doors newsletter: subscribe to thatWant to support the show?1. Hit 'Follow'.2. Leave a 5-star rating.3. Share this episode with a friend (this will help the podcast get discovered by more people so they can Build Doors in their lives too). Thank you for your support! It truly means a lot. 💕 Time to stop waiting and start building…In case you missed it: You can listen to our previous episode here.  #buildingdoorspodcast👋 To say hello, provide feedback, or express interest in a guest appearance on The Building Doors Podcast get in touch with us at [email protected]. Produced By The Podcast Boss