It’s widely acknowledged that the construction industry is suffering from a mental health crisis. Worryingly, recent data suggests that this has not changed, as 73% of respondents to an On The Tools survey (opens a new window) said they are or have previously experienced mental ill health.
Additionally, the survey confirmed the possibility of workers in the construction industry experiencing mental ill health is significantly higher than in any other industry — with costly consequences for employers. To combat this, it is imperative that businesses provide much needed mental health support to their workforce.
Factors harming mental health and wellbeing
Performance based pay
Nearly half of UK construction workers (opens a new window) are self-employed and paid per unit of work, creating potential stress from slow workflow and burnout. Weather delays and material shortages can further elevate anxiety.
Bullying
What’s often called "banter" can easily cross into bullying — contributing to severe mental health issues. Despite bullying victims being more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, many don’t report it.
Tough working conditions
Excessive hours, unstable job security and pay, along with often harsh working environments, contribute to stress. Additionally, the transient nature of many jobs within the construction industry exacerbates feelings of insecurity and anxiety.
Inadequate support infrastructure
Extended time away from family and support mechanisms is common in the construction sector, which can compound existing stress.
How workforce risks can impact businesses
Legal risk
Employers must protect workers from both physical and psychological harm. Failure to address mental health issues could expose companies to legal action.
Absenteeism
Mental health issues account for 20% of work-related illnesses in construction, leading to 70 million sick days annually at an estimated cost of £70-100 billion (opens a new window).
Accidents
Studies show that high (opens a new window) stress levels both increase accident rates and decrease productivity.
How Lockton can help you support your employees’ mental health and wellbeing
As the importance of mental health continues to grow, construction companies can partner with advisers to better support their workers and mitigate underlying people risks.
Mental health risk assessment
Begin with a confidential mental health risk assessment that will evaluate current practices and identify key areas for improvement.
Training
Lockton can arrange training programmes on topics like mindfulness, wellbeing, nutrition, and financial health, to assess how staff could benefit from enhanced mental health support. Programmes can also collect data to inform evidence-based strategies for the future.
Communication
Lockton can help create bespoke communication plans designed to better engage the whole of your workforce and ensure your employees know what’s available to support them.
The benefits of prioritising mental health in construction
A mentally healthy workforce boosts productivity, reduces accidents, and lowers the risk of incidents that could result in Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigations. Companies that actively promote mental health and move away from a culture of "silent suffering", experience lower absenteeism, less presenteeism, and improved profitability. These efforts also help organisations comply with workplace regulations and adhere to business liability insurance coverage.
To find out more, get in touch with our People Solutions team here (opens a new window).
