Making Work And Life Add Up
How often do you come home from work too tired to do other things? Most employers have heard a lot of talk about 'work-life balance' in recent times, the Government's even set up a team to look into it. However, unfortunately, in many cases where flexible working hours are an option, those that want to work in this way fail to do so because they fear that they would be stigmatised for doing so. The fear of being seen as 'less than committed' is very real. It is important to remember that flexibility does not necessarily mean a reduction in hours, and flexible working practices could empower construction professionals to accomplish their work in ways which suit them best - as well as reducing stress, increasing job satisfaction and enhancing staff recruitment and retention.
As we all know, there are times when we must work extra hours. Yet few of us like to feel that our working hours and the location of our work are constantly out of our control. 'Lack of flexibility' is one reason given by construction professionals thinking of leaving their current employer and can be more frequently mentioned than long hours. Young people, in particular, are telling us that they want to work more flexibly and they want a life outside work. We ignore them at our peril.
However, of those who say they want it - how many actually use it? In fact many employees are unaware of the provisions offered by their employer. One construction manager said that while he is able to work from home he hardly ever does so. "It's important to be seen around the office, regularly and by the right people otherwise I could be missing out on valuable opportunities. Also, since I supervise contract staff it's harder to work from home when they might be in the office and have nobody to turn to if they have a question. I feel like I'll be seen as a better manager if I look like a hands-on, always there, reliable kind of boss and most colleagues at my level feel the same."
So, until flexible working is offered in spirit as well as in practice, it seems many people will be reluctant to take it up - and will be resentful for being made to feel that way.
