I have to pose a question in light of my own experiences of working in architecture. I have been in the industry for over ten years and have witnessed (and been on the receiving end of) a culture of discrimination. I have witnessed not only wide spread use of language and attitudes based around racial and ethnic discrimination but also a deeper and more general culture of bullying often based around some perceived difference. These have ranged from a poor understanding of illnesses or disability to outright sustained attacks on colleagues from differing ethnic or cultural backgrounds. Sexist attitudes still seem to be deemed amusing if not openly condoned and an undercurrent of homophobic humour seems to pervade.
I wonder if I have just seen the worst of the industry or have others seen or have suffered similar issues? If the later is true then even in these difficult time can we address these issues and put our house in order?
I hope that what I have witnessed is not the rule for the industry but feel I have to try to find out what others have experienced because if there is a wider problem it must be faced.
