Flexible work arrangements for contractors improves wellbeing and job satisfaction
The UK’s Construction Industry’s first industry-wide flexible working study has found that it leads to soaring wellbeing and could help crack recruitment difficulties.
Construction companies are being encouraged to adopt flexible working polices after the success of pilot schemes at four leading contractors.
An 18-month study trialling different models of flexible working at BAM Construct, BAM Nuttall, Skanska and Willmott Dixon showed no negative impacts on deadlines or budgets and a significant upturn in employee job satisfaction.
The study, led by flexible working consultant Timewise with industry organisation Build UK, began in October 2019, before the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic that compelled companies to embrace certain flexible working patterns – particularly remote working and variable shifts.
The Construction Industry Training Board contributed £30,000 to the project.
That many companies have experienced new working patterns during the pandemic has made what seemed radical, if not impossible, 18 months ago, now looks set to become standard best practice human resources management.
As Timewise says in its report: “Construction firms have begun to dramatically shift their thinking as a result of the pandemic, and the expectation is that they may be much more willing to adapt to flexible working. But for this to happen, it is critical for leaders to embrace flexible working and set the vision and culture for their firms. To highlight the need for sector-wide action on flexible working, Timewise is seeking a commitment from the Construction Leadership Council to advise that increasing flexibility is critical for the future workforce, to address concerns around wellbeing, diversity, fairness, inclusion and respect; and in turn to attract and retain talent.”
The Timewise Construction Pioneers programme re-designed shift patterns in onsite roles, to enable more flexible working, enhanced wellbeing and a better work-life balance.