Running a business in construction can be stressful with long hours, juggling intense workloads. According to Mates in Mind, workplace stress is being felt like never before within small, micro and sole trader businesses. The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity report that the highest number of calls to their helpline were from labourers and finishing trades.

There are three main reasons employers should look to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health; it’s the law, it’s good for business and it’s the right thing to do.

No matter the size of the business, the law requires all employers to prevent work related stress to support good mental health. That means making sure that risks of stress and mental ill–health are factored into health and safety risk assessments at an organisational level and acted upon.

Failing to manage stress at work can cost employers in reduced productivity, sickness absence, or even losing a valued member of the team.

Where to begin?

We need to make it routine to talk about stress and mental health at work.

• Register for Working Minds’ online learning and get started today
• download a risk assessment template and see some examples
• Download the Construction Talking Toolkit for small businesses with a regular workforce (employed and contracted) to help structure conversations
• print out / share our campaign resources round up
• print out / display our Working Minds 5 steps poster
• sign up to the monthly e-bulletin.

Help is available