Thinking differently in Construction

Given there will forever be the pressures of time, budget, quality and safety constraints, as well as client demands and contractual obligations…

what could we modify to enable the average construction worker to enjoy their day more?

Is it setting up a proper Project Launch (not just an Estimator Handover) early in the Program to clarify who is doing what, when and how?

It’s surprising how few of these are scheduled when a small up-front time investment pays such dividends throughout the project lifecycle. Even if only out of self-interest, it can be initiated by any party to a project, even if the Head Contractor doesn’t see it as a priority.

Is it consistently reviewing workload demands and viewing the provision of extra resourcing as an investment in wellbeing, rather than as an avoidable cost?

You can only flog a dead horse so far before it collapses, and the statistics around burn-out indicate that we are not paying adequate attention to this, particularly at Site Engineer level.

Is it providing flexibility to allow workers to attend to a sick family member, or attend a school event, or have a mental health day, without having to justify it?

The benefit of enabling staff to fulfil their non-work obligations and engage in self-care is often negated by the guilt they feel in making the request in the first place. Being kind and compassionate is usually abused only by a minority, who are typically quickly identified anyway, so extend generosity and it will pay off.

Is it creating a culture where collaboration, trust and respect for everyone is a lived experience and not just paid lip-service?

The new demands of the twenty-first century workplace are not hard to achieve – it just takes leaders who are open to new ways of thinking, and who understand the full range of elements which contribute to a daily work experience.