Mental health

Survey uncovers impact of retentions and late payments

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More than four in five specialists say that late payments from main contractors have impacted their mental health, according to Construction News’ payment survey. The figure is revealed today in the the results of a major survey by CN of construction subcontractors’ experiences of retentions and payment practices. The survey,…

Half of builders have struggled with mental health

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More than 50 per cent of construction workers say they have struggled with their mental health, according to software provider Causeway Technologies. The survey was carried out by Causeway’s mental health ambassador, former England footballer Trevor Steven. Steven spoke to more than 1,400 workers over 18 months at construction sites…

Managing mental health risk in the industry with AI

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Sarah Baldry is vice-president of people and marketing at artificial intelligence-based healthcare service Wysa The construction sector has some of the worst rates of mental health among business sectors in the UK, with men in the industry three times more likely to die from suicide than the average male. Yet,…

Unlocking the power of neurodiversity in construction: a call to action

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Danny Clarke is commercial director of the National Federation of Builders In a world where equality, diversity and inclusion have become central themes in discussions around the modern workplace, one facet often remains unexplored to the degree it should – neurodiversity. This vital aspect of human diversity, encompassing conditions such…

One in four construction workers ‘identify as neurodiverse’

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A quarter of construction workers consider themselves to be neurodiverse, according to a report by the National Federation of Builders (NFB). The figure is higher than that of the general public, among whom one in seven is estimated to have a neurodiverse condition. Neurodiversity refers to different thinking styles that…

Lighthouse Club charity reports £217,000 loss on investment portfolio

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Construction industry charity Lighthouse Club lost £217,000 last year on an investment portfolio of £1.75m, although it said its position has since recovered significantly. The Ipswich-based charity tackles mental health in the construction industry, providing administrative, financial and emotional support to struggling workers and affected families. It operates a helpline,…

Website launched for workers who have ‘nowhere to turn for help’

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A website has been launched as part of the drive to reduce suicides and improve wellbeing in the construction industry. The Make It Visible portal provides access to information, advice and guidance, and is a pathway to free support. Its content – based on research carried out by the Lighthouse…

Let’s all sign up to help stop suicide

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Ian Weinfass is Deputy Editor of Construction News We’ve been looking ahead to the next 12 months in recent days on CN with our people, companies and projects to watch for in 2023. I’m also going to go out on a limb and predict the following for 2023: there will…

New welfare initiative launched as suicide rate rises

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The number of suicides in the construction sector has risen to its highest level in at least five years, as a new industry initiative launches to tackle the issue. According to an analysis of Office for National Statistics figures by the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity and Professor Billy Hare at…

Pagabo deal could open door to workforce mood tracking

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Framework provider Pagabo’s parent group has acquired mental health tech brand Moodbeam for an undisclosed sum, as part of a drive to break down the stigma surrounding emotional wellbeing in the construction industry. The 55 Group, Pagabo’s parent company, said it hoped that the monitoring technology would have a “significant…