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Construction employers have acknowledged that the sector is one of “high” and “very high” stress in a recent CITB survey.
The survey, which was carried out by phone and questioned more than 100 construction employers, found that the sector only had a score of 4.5 out of 10 for its overall performance in managing workplace stress.
It found that more than a third surveyed (36%) described their workplace as a “high” or “very high” stress environment and one in five (20%) were unsure how they would support an employee suffering from work-related stress.
While most respondents (71%) were able to suggest a personal response that they would make to help a workmate, just under half (47%) were inclined to suggest formal solutions to tackle the problem.
The top three likely reactions from employers were: to offer informal support or friendship (34%); suggesting counselling or where to find it (23%); and paid time off work (20%). When asked how they would know an employee was suffering from stress, about half said that they would probably detect a problem by just chatting to an employee.
However, about a third thought they would only hear about it when a problem on the job occurred.
Kevin Fear, CITB head of environment and health & safety, said: “While it’s good news that many construction employers recognise stress in the workplace, we need to do more to support individual colleagues. Mental health has been a taboo subject that’s been brushed under the carpet for far too long.
“We need to put an end to the culture of ‘silently coping’, which can be damaging to both worker health and business performance. Encouragingly, some contractors are starting to develop policies and great initiatives to promote good mental health and well-being.”
