REPORT Project 5: A weekend for every worker
“The current arrangement that he’s in is
4.2 CONSTRUCTION WORKERS’ NEXT OF KIN
definitely the better, the better option, you know, Monday to Friday.”
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The majority of next of kin said they would prefer their partners to work fewer days and fewer hours.
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While next of kin appreciated the relatively high wages their partner could earn in construction, the long hours and their partner’s absence on weekends placed a strain on their relationships.
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Next of kin
“It makes it better. It’s more positive, yeah, ‘cause he’s at home with us. So we get
For next of kin with children, working conditions in the construction sector meant their partners were often unavailable for fun activities, like weekend sport, as well as the labour of child raising.
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Next of kin were limited in the employment they could pursue as a result of their partner’s long hours in construction, and this also reduced their time for respite from parenting and domestic responsibilities.
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Next of kin noticed improvements in their partner’s mood and wellbeing during Project 5, reporting that they were less fatigued, more relaxed, and more available to enjoy their social and family life.
to see him more.”
Next of kin
Another preference of next of kin, which they said would benefit the workers, themselves and their families, was shorter work hours and more certainty around hours and finishing times, to allow for better planning. 4.2.1 Views on construction work Overall, next of kin thought the construction sector was well paid, but had the downside of long hours, presenteeism and expectations from the employer and their partner to work overtime. One next of kin described the compromise. “As a spouse of someone who works there, it can be great, but then it can get tough when they do massive overtime hours and expected to work six-day weeks standard. And that can get a bit tough, but then on the flipside of that is that in the construction industry, they’re paid very, very well comparatively. So I guess that’s the compromise you make.”
Almost all next of kin interviewed were the wives or long-term partners of construction workers. All but one was female. Most had young children and were either working part-time or not currently employed, with the worker in construction being the primary earner in the household. When asked why they wanted to participate in the research, a number said they took part because of the importance of the intervention on their life and their relationship with their partner. One next of kin held back tears as they explained, “It’s so significant to me … I mean it’s changed [my relationship with partner] a lot … Sorry, I’m just getting a bit emotional actually. Yeah, sorry. I just mean, it would mean the world if he didn’t work so … sorry. If he could work five days like what you’d think is quite normal, that would change our life.”
Next of kin expressed the view that a construction worker’s value was demonstrated by adhering to long work hours and being totally available. “There’s a real old-school mentality that you need to be there and you need to be there all the time. And, if you’re not, it’s assumed that you’re not doing the job.” But next of kin could clearly identify that money was not the sole driver of workers accepting long work hours. Many spoke about the culture of masculinity in the industry, and its connection to overwork and the unwillingness of their partners to take sick leave. According to the next of kin, their partners risked being sanctioned and worse still, losing their job, if they took leave for sickness and wellbeing issues. Speaking up about mental health and seeking help was therefore difficult for construction workers. As one next of kin explained, “I guess whether you suffer anxiety, depression … Whether you can ask for help or if you see the signs that you need help. I guess guys don’t really ask for help. Don’t really talk about it, I guess… Not like the girls.”
The majority of next of kin said they would prefer their partners to work fewer hours and fewer days. Those with young children would particularly prefer their partners to finish work earlier.
“Getting home a bit earlier during the week would be amazing or just knowing, yeah, that it’s a five-day week.”
Next of kin
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