Tips for Preventing Burnout in Your Construction Company
The word “burnout” usually conjures images of harried office workers slumped over keyboards, surrounded by stacks of unfinished paperwork. But the exhaustion that comes with too much work and not enough care can happen in any line of work. This is especially true in construction.
Construction workers face constant physical and mental strain from the moment they step onto a jobsite to the moment they leave it. And with the long hours of the busy season upon us, the strain will only get greater. That’s why our tips for preventing burnout in your construction company are more important than ever.
Establish Boundaries
A dedicated employee gives a lot to a company, but when one’s work takes more than they can give, burnout happens. Clear boundaries can help avoid this situation, such as:
Avoiding working over hours
Having a clear job description
Setting limits on what one person should do
Delegating work when necessary
When deadlines loom, employees can feel pressured to give more of themselves or feel guilty for establishing boundaries. As an employer, you should set the tone, encouraging boundaries and establishing them in your company’s structure.
Create a Plan
Since we know that the busy season is coming, we must plan ahead so work can get done properly. This starts at the beginning of a project. Create a master schedule that breaks down the entire project into individual tasks. Break these individual tasks into daily checklists. Make sure these deadlines and task lists are reasonable.
Additionally, identify risk factors that can set your project off course, such as stormy weather or natural disasters. Create contingency plans to keep your project on schedule.
Maximize Safety
Part of the mental strain of construction comes from the constant risk of doing dangerous tasks, and the more exhausted we are, the more likely we are to make mistakes. The risk of accidents increases burnout, and burnout’s prevalence increases the likelihood of accidents. Taking steps to increase safety and preventing burnout in your construction company go hand in hand.
Performing inspections and preventative maintenance regularly can decrease the risk of accidents. However, even these tasks can become dangerous when workers are tired. Make sure you add physical supports, such as skid steer loader arm supports, and rotate these tasks between employees.
Listen to Your Team
Mental and emotional fatigue can improve simply by speaking about the issue. Take the time to address burnout with your company and urge employees to make their needs known. When your employees have their needs met, you will have a team that is ready to meet the pressure of the busy season.
