New data reveals half of construction workers feel lonely at work

The findings, conducted by NESCAFÉ as part of the ‘Make Chat Work’ campaign, are announced amidst recent concerns around wellbeing in the construction industry –with a report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Issues Affecting Men and Boys recommending more stringent mental health provisions should be written into construction contracts.

The ‘Make Chat Work’ campaign by NESCAFÉ aims to help businesses create a culture that nurtures their employees’ wellbeing through encouraging interactions, connections and engagement between workers.

Further insights from the research reveals that eight out of ten (79%) of construction workers agree that having opportunities to talk to colleagues around coffee breaks would make them feel less lonely. In addition, nearly all (99%) of respondents said that getting together for a coffee break is important for team morale and 94% look forward to a coffee break with colleagues.

Nadia Roberts, Brand Manager at NESCAFÉ at Nestlé Professional, said: “Our research shows that coffee breaks at work aren’t just a ‘nice to have’ but are an important part of the day for employees – particularly for those that are experiencing feelings of loneliness. Breaks give workers time that’s been specifically carved out to connect, talk and engage with each other and an opportunity to take time out and switch off from the day-to-day pressures – important for workers in any business, but particularly a sector like construction, and the related trades such as plumbers, carpenters and electricians, which are typically male-dominated.”

The Make Chat Work campaign sees NESCAFÉ partner with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which represents 160,000 small business owners in the UK, as well as construction industry bodies the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC), to deliver insights, webinars, information and assets to help small businesses improve workplace wellbeing.

There are also various tools, for employers looking to support workplace wellbeing, that are free for businesses to download. This includes a Make Chat Work Guide packed full of insights, knowledge and practical tips on how to make the most of the coffee break in the workplace. There are also printable assets to display in the office including a ‘NESCAFÉ Your Way’ sheet to note how colleagues like to take their hot drinks and ‘Icebreaker’ and ‘Conversation Starter’ suggestions, designed to help ignite chat and interaction with co-workers.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said: “Mental health is a top priority for the FMB so our partnership with NESCAFÉ is another great way to highlight workplace wellbeing. Builders face many pressures in their day-to-day lives and it’s great that many FMB members share their own mental health challenges to help others. The FMB has also partnered with the Lighthouse Club as our charity partner to ensure mental health awareness is front and centre in the construction sector.”

Caroline Lavelle, Chief Commercial Officer at FSB, said: “Workplace wellbeing is incredibly relevant and important to our vast small business community. We like to provide our members with knowledge and tools that enable them to run their business better; and the Make Chat Work campaign does just that.”

CIC Chief Executive Graham Watts, said: “CIC promotes expertise and knowledge on topics that are of collective interest to the construction sector and wellbeing is a topic that impacts everyone in the industry. We are pleased to partner with NESCAFÉ to cover this crucial subject and help share insights which could benefit the whole of the industry.”

Through the partnership with the CIC, NESCAFÉ will be making a donation to construction industry charity The Lighthouse Club.

Bill Hill, CEO at the Lighthouse Club charity, which provides financial and emotional support to the construction community and their families, said: “Experiencing poor wellbeing is an everyday reality for thousands of construction workers. Stress, anxiety and depression accounts for a fifth of all work-related illnesses and every single working day in the UK, two construction workers take their own life. We welcome campaigns like Make Chat Work – it’s an opportunity to ignite conversation around workplace wellbeing and brings to life the importance of workers in the sector talking more.”

For further information on the NESCAFÉ Make Chat Work campaign or to download the free Make Chat Work Guide click here

Experts together: Ideal Heating & ACV exhibit at Specifi events across the UK

Ideal Heating – Commercial Products is pleased to announce it is once again exhibiting at Specifi Mechanical Services events throughout 2023, alongside hot water generation and heating company ACV UK, as part of their Experts Together campaign; both companies are part of Groupe Atlantic.

Aimed at specifiers in the construction sector, the Specifi events provide a more relaxed, informal alternative to major exhibitions. They are designed for networking and professional development through the sharing of information.

Ideal Heating is exhibiting at eight Specifi Mechanical Services events, which are being held in Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London and Manchester.

Ideal Heating’s experienced Specification Managers will be on hand to advise visitors on the latest cost-effective means of decarbonising commercial heating in light of the Part L uplift to Building Regulations for non- domestic buildings, which came into effect in June 2022, targeting an average decrease of 27% in CO₂. They will be explaining how the building services and low carbon technologies that can help achieve this, with a focus on the benefits of heat pumps.

Ideal Heating’s new ECOMOD range of commercial monobloc air source heat pumps will be a key focus at the Specifi events. These heat pumps offer highly efficient COP performance with low environmental impact, thanks to the use of R32 refrigerant. The ECOMOD range of units are available in a choice of six outputs ranging from 14kW through to 70kW. Built with larger buildings in mind they can be cascaded up to seven units - from an external controller - for a performance output of up to 490kW.

Ideal Heating is pleased to be sharing its stand space at Specifi with ACV UK. Some of ACV’s most popular products include the WaterMaster Evo gas fired stainless steel condensing water heater with tank-in-tank technology; the SMART ME range of cylinders which can be installed with renewable energy products such as heat pumps; and a range of floor standing combined heating and hot water electric units and wall hung heating only electric boilers.

Ideal Heating will also be highlighting its free training courses and CIBSE accredited CPD seminars at Specifi, which have proven very popular amongst specifiers keen to gain a greater understanding of the different commercial boiler heat exchanger materials and the stages of plant room surveying. All training can be customised and is provided in Ideal’s state-of the-art Training Centres of Excellence located in Hull and Leeds.

For more information on the location and times of Specifi events, plus to register for free attendance, go to www.specifi.co.uk.

For more information on Ideal Heating –Commercial Products, visit: www.idealcommercialheating.co.uk and for ACV go to www.acv.com/gb