Statistics suggest that recent years have seen an alarming rise in suicide rates and depression related to work issues in the industry. Fergus, the business software company for tradespeople, advises that one way to avoid stress is to prioritise the work/life balance.
According to recent statistics, construction workers are at a significant risk of suicide, with rates 3.7 times higher than the national average. Additionally, the UK building industry sees a higher rate of depression and anxiety compared to other sectors. It is time for the industry to take action and prioritise the mental wellbeing of its workers.
Tight deadlines, long hours, and intense physical labour can take a toll on your mental and physical health and it’s important not to let work take over your life. Work/life balance is critical to maintaining good mental health, and it’s vital for the industry to acknowledge this and take action.
“It is essential that workers take action to prioritise work/life balance,” says Dan Pollard, ex-plumber and founder of Fergus Software. “We’ve seen a worrying trend in rising suicide rates and depression related to work issues in our industry, and we can’t afford to ignore this any longer. It’s time for construction companies to take a proactive approach to improving the mental wellbeing of their workers.”
BETTER BALANCE
Fergus Software recommends several steps that companies can take to address the issues of work/life balance and mental health. These include:
1. Foster open communication: Encourage employees to talk about any issues they may be facing and provide support through employee assistance programmes or counselling services.
2. Provide flexible working hours: Offering flexible working hours or work-from-home options can help employees manage their workloads and personal responsibilities.
3. Prioritise rest and relaxation: Encourage employees to take breaks. Don’t email or contact employees unless it is absolutely essential that you do.
4. Promote physical health: Encourage good habits such as regular exercise and a balanced diet to help employees manage stress and maintain mental health.
5. Educate employees: Provide training and education on mental health issues and how to manage stress in the workplace.
TIME SAVER
“If you are a business owner, stress levels can be ramped up with the pressure of running a business, such as making payroll, invoicing and ensuring cashflow is healthy,” says Dan. “There is a solution – by implementing job management software you can streamline workflows, automate administrative tasks, and simplify communication, allowing business owners to focus on improving work/life balance and promoting mental wellbeing – just by giving you more time to do the things you love doing.”
Fergus offers features such as scheduling, quoting, invoicing and real-time tracking of jobs and employees. By automating these processes, companies can reduce the time and effort required for administrative tasks, allowing workers to spend more time on site and less time on paperwork. Additionally, the software provides a platform for streamlined communication between managers, workers, and clients, improving transparency and reducing the need for phone calls and emails.
