Mental Health of Individuals Working In the Construction IndustryMental Health & Construction Industry
Despite being globally recognized as one of the most emerging and profitable sectors, the construction industry faces a significant and disheartening challenge. The laborers in this industry endure immense stress and demands, resulting in alarming rates of suicide. Shockingly, this critical issue receives minimal discussion and attention, highlighting the urgent need for action and awareness. According to data from the CDC, 47,000 people committed suicide in 2019. Unfortunately, there has been little progress or initiatives to improve this sector’s work environment. Despite being one of the fastest-growing industries globally, it lacks proper organization, leadership, and human resource management. The hectic work environment and persistent deadline pressures create a toxic atmosphere for workers. Communication is one of the key problems in this industry; here’s the reason.
Lack on communication
Communication is very important to create a healthy work environment. A place where people feel heard and valued and have a voice fosters a sense of safety and belonging. Effective communication also helps individuals in high-ranking positions understand their subordinates better, enabling them to become better leaders.
However, in an industry like construction, communication often lacks the attention it deserves. The demanding nature of the construction industry, with its tight deadlines and high-pressure projects, can lead to communication being overlooked or undervalued. This can result in misunderstandings, conflicts, and a lack of clarity among team members.
This industry needs to be more organized and characterized by long chains of subcontractors. Often, large companies outsource their work to independent contractors who oversee the operations. In this structure, even the sub-contractors find themselves at the mercy of the main contractor. They must adhere to the established work culture, meet deadlines, and fulfill the demands of those in control. Unfortunately, this means that even the sub-contractor, considered to be of higher rank on the site, may not experience a healthy work environment.
When the sub-contractor is not provided with a safe and supportive work environment, fostering a positive atmosphere for the laborers and other individuals involved becomes challenging. As a result, the well-being and satisfaction of the workers may be compromised.
Also, in a hectic industry like construction, blame games are common. Instead of working as a team and supporting each other, individuals tend to point fingers and assign blame. This behavior contributes to a more toxic work environment where finding solutions takes a backseat, and it is only the blame game. Consequently, establishing positive communication becomes increasingly challenging in such an atmosphere.
Language becomes barrier
Many immigrants work on construction sites, with laborers coming from various parts of the world to work in countries with robust construction industries. Many of these laborers come from third-world countries, often impoverished individuals who have left their homes searching for a livelihood. Language poses a significant challenge for these laborers, as they may not be familiar with the language spoken in their workplaces. Consequently, it becomes difficult for them to communicate their problems to their leaders, as breaking through the hierarchical barriers can be daunting. Furthermore, the language barrier further complicates effective communication even if they attempt to do so. These laborers’ lack of education and awareness makes them susceptible to falling into a toxic work environment. They often feel undervalued and need to be made aware of effective means of communication.
Blame Game
When individuals in any industry start playing the blame game, the effectiveness and efficiency of the work suffer. However, productivity increases if individuals view the work as a collaborative effort and strive to foster teamwork and help one another. According to Bobbi Hartshorne, a subject expert on employee well-being, putting an end to the blame game can significantly contribute to the construction industry’s success.
The future
Hartshorne talks about the future of this industry. She says that the current leaders in the industry have barely 4-5 years until their retirement, making it impossible for them to change their working style now. However, they have an opportunity to leave a legacy behind: to implement a succession plan and acknowledge that the world they are leaving behind is not the same as it has become. The younger generation of leaders has a different mentality and approach. Therefore, senior leaders in the industry act as a bridge and support the upcoming leaders in creating a healthier construction business.
With their experience, senior leaders can assist young leaders in creating a better work environment, leading to miraculous transformations. They can rewrite the rules of the construction industry and make significant improvements. If the drive fails to modernize, it will eventually decline. The modern work system emphasizes different values and aims to create a better work environment for everyone involved. By fostering this change in the working culture of the construction industry, it can become more profitable, productive, and attractive to young people who are currently hesitant due to the toxic work culture.
Conclusion
Laborers in the construction industry experience tremendous stress and demands, resulting in alarming rates of suicide. Unfortunately, this critical issue receives minimal attention, highlighting the urgent need for action. Lack of communication is one of the key problems in the construction industry, where it is often overlooked due to the demanding nature of projects and tight deadlines. The sector also suffers from poor organization, leadership, and human resource management. Blame games and a toxic work environment hinder effective communication and collaborative efforts. Additionally, language barriers pose challenges for immigrant workers who struggle to communicate their issues or seek help. However, there is hope for the industry’s future. Although nearing retirement, current leaders can leave a lasting legacy by supporting and mentoring younger leaders to create a healthier work environment. By embracing modern work values, rewriting industry rules, and fostering positive communication, the construction industry can become more profitable, productive, and appealing to young talent.
About the Author
Eliyahu Rapaport is the CEO of Global Construction Tech, a consulting firm that specializes in enhancing construction processes and project profitability through innovative technology. Renowned as a thought leader, Eliyahu frequently serves as a keynote speaker on topics including innovation, leadership, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and digitalization in the construction industry. He is also the host of the "Contech On Site Podcast," where he interviews industry leaders about their innovation practices and visions regarding technology in construction. His insights and leadership are making a significant impact on how construction steakholders approach innovation and implement, manage and executed projects globally.
Get In Touch
eliyahu@globalconstructiontech.com
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