Ensuring construction workers have time for life
The Construction Industry Culture Taskforce (CICT) today launches public consultation on the Time for Life pillar of the new industry Culture Standard via our virtual consultation hub.
Supporting our workers and improving productivity
Excessive work hours are endemic in construction today. In a 2018 study, 64% of workers reported working more than 50 hours per week. Yet research shows the productivity of a construction worker reduces significantly as they work longer hours. It also results in high rates of turnover, absenteeism, and stress-related leave.
Accordingly, 59% of construction workers report dissatisfaction with their work-life balance, compared with just 39% of the general population. Being unable to balance work and life has negative impacts on health and wellbeing and can cause stress and relationship issues.
Significantly higher working hours and higher rates of worker dissatisfaction compared with other industries are putting our people and projects at risk. It's time to breathe life into work-life balance to make our industry a more attractive place to work.
The new Culture Standard will transform the construction industry, and the lives of those working in it, by prioritising adequate time to rest and pursue life activities outside of work.
Adopting modern work practices
It is imperative that our industry adopts a new approach to ways of working. Our third round of consultation focusses on practical steps that can be taken to address excessive working hours and provide access to optimal ways of working.
The Time for Life pillar of the Culture Standard seeks to improve the work-life balance of its workers by embedding modern work practices in construction, in line with other Australian industries.
Get Involved
We encourage and appreciate any and all input that you are able to provide. You can have your say by:
- Visiting 360.cultureinconstruction.com.au to access the virtual consultation hub which includes fact sheets, videos, and opportunities to have your say through questionnaires and surveys
- Visiting our new submissions portal to read the draft Culture Standard in full, and lodge your written submission
- Following us on LinkedIn
- Sharing this final opportunity for others to have their say
The Culture Standard is expected to be finalised by the end of this year. Implementation pilots are due to start in NSW and Victoria in 2022, with results to be shared with all jurisdictions to support a national approach to these issues.
