Understanding Perceived Factors Affecting U.S. Construction Workforce Retention Intentions: A Blended Thematic Analysis of African American Professionals’ Perspectives on Employment Discrimination

Workforce sustainability remains a significant challenge in the construction industry, as evolving demands, shifting demographics, and persistent labor shortages continue to threaten employee retention. Workforce retention is a critical indicator of workforce sustainability. To strengthen retention, it is essential to understand the lived experiences of professionals and the conditions that support or hinder sustained engagement in the sector. However, little is known regarding factors that affect workforce retention among African American professionals in the construction industry. This study investigates African American construction professionals’ perceptions of race-based employment discrimination, including direct and vicarious experiences across field, office, and hybrid work environments, and explores its perceived relevance to retention intentions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty-four African American professionals from diverse locations, occupational roles, and experience levels within the U.S. construction industry. A blended thematic analysis identified three themes describing participants’ reported experiences: (1) Workplace Inequities and Employment Disruption, (2) Professional Expertise Devaluation and Unequal Recognition, and (3) Exclusionary Workplace Conditions and Psychosocial Strain. Findings reveal that participants’ accounts included expressed departure intentions and retrospective reports of project departures and employment changes, including waiting for pay before leaving or obtaining another job. Reduced motivation and feeling undervalued were distinguished from explicitly expressed desires or plans to leave. Moreover, participants reported that lack of recognition for their skills and continued discriminatory practices reduced their sense of value, expressing a reduced willingness to remain on a project or with an employer in connection with these experiences. This study adds to the understanding of factors that affect retention intentions by reporting perceived barriers rooted in race-based employment practices. The study contributes interview evidence from African American construction professionals and interprets their reported experiences using the existing workforce sustainability framework, identifying organizational concerns, and potential responses for further evaluation. Furthermore, the study offers practical implications for enhancing workforce retention and workforce sustainability.