Tips for Managing Stress in Construction

The construction industry is known for its high-pressure and fast-paced environment, which can cause stress, burnout, and even self-harming behaviors for workers. With labor shortages and increased demand for faster project delivery and efficiency, it can be challenging for workers to keep up with strenuous expectations.

It’s important for industry leaders to implement policies that prioritize stress management and the wellbeing of their employees to mitigate loss in productivity, project delays, and worker injury or death. A CDC report revealed that the construction industry had one of the highest suicide rates among male workers across 17 states in the U.S.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the factors that contribute to workplace stress for construction workers, along with strategies to help company leadership and employees manage their stress in order to improve company morale and keep projects on schedule. 

What causes stress for construction workers?

There are several factors that contribute to the stress experienced in the construction industry. From tight deadlines and budgetary restrictions to the physical demands of the job and work conditions, construction workers may often feel squeezed and overwhelmed from all sides while completing their day-to-day tasks. 

Tight deadlines

Tight deadlines are common on construction projects. There might be specific tasks that have to be completed within a timeframe, which can create immense pressure on workers and project teams. If an electrical contractor, for example, is delayed installing electrical wiring on a residential project, it could cause a ripple effect, now delaying the drywall contractors from being able to install their materials on time.

Additionally, smaller contractors may be dependent on jobs being completed on time in order to begin the process of getting paid. Project delays could result in a financial bind if these contractors aren’t paid within the timeframe they expect. This may cause significant stress for both the business owners, and any employees they may have, if payments are also delayed. 

Budget restrictions

When tight profit margins or limited financial resources are present, the pressure to complete projects within the set budget can be felt by everyone involved. 

A company’s financial team may implement tight cost-control measures in an effort to stay within budget before the project work commences. This could mean exploring alternative methods to source materials and services, or amending contracts with subcontractors and suppliers. 

Due to the unpredictability of material prices, or if project modifications are implemented after the project begins, a fixed budget could impact workers’ stress levels as they try to adhere to financial restrictions. Subcontractors and suppliers may have to accept lower payments during contract negotiations due to budget constraints. 

Quality of work can be compromised when teams have to pinch pennies in order to complete work on a construction project. This financial pressure, coupled with the stress of meeting the deadline, can have detrimental impacts on worker morale and wellbeing.

Physical demands

The wear and tear that impacts construction workers physically can also contribute to their overall wellbeing. Long hours, working in unfavorable weather conditions such as high heat or cold temperatures, or performing work in dangerous areas can all factor into worker stress.

The construction industry is known for its grueling work schedule. Overtime, weekend work, and extended hours can disrupt work-life balance, limit personal time, and reduce opportunities for rest and relaxation for workers. Additionally, constant exposure to extreme weather conditions can place significant stress on workers' bodies, affecting their physical and mental wellbeing.

It’s no secret that construction sites pose many hazards for onsite workers. Workers must be vigilant to avoid injuries while performing their daily tasks, and this additional awareness and careful attention to the work environment can also contribute to increased stress levels. 

Excavators or trenchers, for example, must work meticulously to avoid collapses while working at depths of 12 to 15 feet below ground level. Construction workers alongside busy roadways need to be mindful of potential struck-by incidents from motorists while still completing the job. 

Layoffs and off seasons

Job and financial insecurity during down periods in the construction industry may also negatively impact workers emotionally and mentally. Layoffs and off seasons may result in little to no income for construction workers, causing increased financial strain and stress to pay bills and sustain their business. 

The varying factors that can impact the wellbeing of construction workers can make it challenging for workers to manage their stress levels in order to provide quality work on projects and maintain their overall health. Company leadership should consider the causes of worker stress and provide resources to help their employees manage these levels whenever possible. 

How to recognize signs of stress in construction workers

When stress levels are high, there are different behaviors a construction worker may exhibit signaling to others that something is wrong. It’s important for leaders from the executive level all the way down the ladder to be aware of the signs of stress in workers, and take preventative action to help them control their stress before it gets out of hand. 

While this list isn’t exhaustive, and there are additional factors that may need consideration in some cases, leadership teams should know their employees well enough to be aware of any significant changes in their behavior that could be stress-related. Below are some indicators employers and employees should watch out for. 

Decrease in productivity

Leadership should be mindful of employees’ general productivity levels from day to day. Let’s say a residential painting subcontractor, for example, is usually able to finish a job on four to five houses in one day. If that number decreases to one or two consistently, it could be a sign that the subcontractor is experiencing increased stress levels. 

Irritability and mood swings

If team members notice that their mostly even-tempered coworker is a bit more snappy or easily frustrated, it could be an indication that something is on their mind. Checking in with them one-on-one, or modeling transparency through communicating their own struggles could help ease any tension and provide an opportunity for the coworker to open up. 

Isolation

On top of being unsafe for certain projects or tasks, construction workers electing to work alone frequently might be a sign that they’re dealing with a stressful situation. Offering to work alongside them, or including them in group discussions or activities can be helpful ways to offer support. 

Forgetfulness or clumsiness

Accidents on construction sites are not uncommon. If it becomes a recurring theme for certain employees, it may indicate that that person has a lot on their mind. Encouraging them to take breaks or step away from their work to clear their head may help them refocus on the task at hand.   

5 tips to help manage stress in construction

While eliminating stress completely for construction workers is ideal, the goal may be unrealistic due to the pressures and fast-paced environment that are second nature to the industry. There are, however, strategies that company leaders and workers can implement to help keep their stress at a manageable level while on the job. Below are five tips to help companies assist employees with managing their stress levels.  

Implement company-wide ownership

Sufficient stress management methods that are embraced by everyone within a company starts at the top. Transparency from executive team members who model behaviors that emphasize healthy ways of dealing with stress, and stressful situations, can encourage employees to do the same. 

Offering activities or resource groups that employees can join alongside company leadership is one way to keep everyone engaged with one another. It also provides leadership teams an opportunity to connect with staff members outside of their daily work tasks and be able to recognize when employees may have an off day or begin displaying abnormal behaviors. 

Employee assistance programs offer workers professional support for any work-related or personal issues they may be experiencing. Many of these programs provide employee education, counseling and coaching services, and financial or legal assistance to help employees navigate stressful situations.  

Showing employees that employers care about them beyond their job performance allows employees a chance to be more open with management, and also amongst their coworkers. Visibility from the top down within the company can create engagement that invites workers to share more about their emotional and mental wellbeing too.  

Prioritize communication

Sometimes stress relief on the job comes from having someone to talk to and vent frustrations or feelings that are usually internalized. It’s important for company leadership teams to be genuinely curious and tuned in to the needs of their staff. Having open lines of communication, checking in regularly on employees — even if nothing seems out of the ordinary, and sharing some insight into how they approach stressful situations can help entice employees to follow suit. 

During toolbox talks, management teams should set aside time to have open forums with onsite staff to discuss their emotional and mental wellbeing in addition to regular safety procedures or jobsite updates. The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) offers free resources for toolbox talks that focus on worker wellbeing. 

Having opportunities to build rapport with employees through communication may help staff become more comfortable with talking about any issues or concerns they have before things get out of hand.  

Focus on safety, worker wellbeing

Prioritizing the health and safety of construction workers benefits construction firms beyond achieving employee satisfaction. A well-cared-for workforce can help keep projects on schedule, save money, and keep businesses in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. 

According to the Center for Workplace Mental Health, commitment to worker wellbeing helps workers feel emotionally safe and more willing to discuss factors that affect their job performance, productivity, and relationships with their coworkers. 

Companies should establish training programs, with resources like Procore’s Bringing the Right Mindset to the Jobsite course, that can continuously remind leadership and employees to keep workers’ overall safety at the forefront. 

Streamline workflows with software

In addition to the physical demands experienced by construction workers, there’s a multitude of workflows, processes, and documentation that many employees have to shuffle through to complete their daily tasks. 

From safety documentation, like daily logs and job hazard analyses, to submittals documentation that contractors have to prepare, to various reports, timesheets, and other miscellaneous paperwork, it’s easy for workers to become overwhelmed. 

A safety director or safety manager, for example, can house all safety-related documentation, photos, and site communication for a project in one single place. Construction management software allows various stakeholders to access project data and relevant information from anywhere.

The safety director can notify site leadership and staff about changes to site-specific safety plans in real-time, or create incident reports on the spot without causing significant disruption in the workday. 

Having an organized process to streamline workflows and manage documentation may help reduce some of the mental hoops construction workers jump through to finish a project.

Encourage healthier lifestyles

Construction schedules can be demanding. Long hours and tight schedules can make it difficult for workers to form stress-reducing habits like eating healthier or exercising outside of work. By implementing programs or initiatives that encourage health and wellness, companies can assist workers in managing their stress through lifestyle changes. 

Scheduling stretch, water, or snack breaks for crews each day is one way to give workers an opportunity to unplug from their work and pay attention to their bodies. It also promotes additional opportunities for discussion and openness around worker health and safety, reminding employees to prioritize their overall wellbeing. 

Mental health is tied to physical health — and job performance

The construction industry's high-pressure and fast-paced environment can have a significant impact on the wellbeing and mental health of workers. The potential consequences of workplace stressors can result in physical and mental harm, job loss, or even death for some. Both employers and workers should prioritize stress management strategies to help with navigating challenges on the job — and at home. 

Organizations like CIASP and Center for Workplace Mental Health are focused on supporting construction workers in their efforts to overcome challenges they face related to stress and mental health. 

Additionally, open lines of communication, and providing and using available resources for the health and safety of employees can aid in these efforts, and allow construction workers opportunities to take better care of themselves.

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