Strategies to mitigate stress

New Zealand is currently experiencing a tight economy, having fallen into recession by 1% in the third quarter of 2024. The construction industry, known for its cyclical nature and susceptibility to shocks, is facing a perfect storm. Rising project and material costs, subdued building consent activity, ongoing labour supply issues, and weather-related incidents have recently challenged New Zealand’s construction sector. This article by Site Safe explores how tradies can mitigate stress during economic downturns 

The National Construction Pipeline report, published in December 2024, has predicted that national construction activity will fall to a low of $55.1bn in 2025, before picking up slowly. In part, this is a result of residential dwelling consents reaching a five-year low. 

Mental health impacts of the recession 

During economic downturns, recession adds another layer of difficulty for those already experiencing tough times. A study by the University of Alberta[1], found a significant relationship between economic recessions and increases in depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide. 

Suicide rates are already high within the construction industry, which remains male-dominated. MATES in Construction New Zealand CEO John Chapman noted: “When things are tough at work –  long hours, financial pressure, job insecurity – they don’t just stay at work. They chip away at the foundations of our overall well-being. If our taha hinengaro (mental health) or taha whānau (family connections) are already stretched, even everyday life events can hit much harder. That’s why it’s so important we support workers across all areas of their lives – not just on site, but as whole people.” 

Addressing mental health in construction 

Several studies worldwide have identified work-related stress as a root cause of unsafe behaviours in construction. It is critically important to ask workers about their stressors and what strategies they think would be effective in helping them prevent or cope with these stressors. 

Understanding stress and perceived strategies at the coalface is the first step to tackling this health epidemic squarely, improving the working environment for our workers, and enhancing resilience and stress management proficiency in the industry. 

Understanding and addressing work-related stress 

A 2021 research report conducted by Site Safe and Massey University[2] estimates that 8% of workers who die by work-related suicide each year are in construction. The research also identified that construction workers experience a combination of work-related stressors that affect their productivity and physical and emotional health. The major impacts of stress include burnout, fatigue, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, job dissatisfaction and poor decision-making. 

Workers also identified organisational pressures as the major cause of their stress, including: 

• Time pressures, unrealistic budgets and timeframes. 

• Volumes of work: “How am I going to get all this work done in such a small amount of time?”. 

• Lack of teamwork, operating in silos. 

• Questionable ethics: “He asked me to inflate the bill.” 

• Poor communication and collaboration. 

• Cognitive ability: “Do I have the skills to do this? Am I qualified enough?” 

Onsite strategies to mitigate stress 

The data suggests that even if most respondents have worked in the industry for an average of 21 years and been involved in 10 or more projects, they are not immune to workplace stress and are still heavily impacted by it. Employers and the industry can support workers in mitigating stress or these psychosocial hazards in the workplace. The first step is acknowledging that stress exists and making it an acceptable topic to discuss on site. 

Contractors and workers can be part of the solution by working together to solve the stress problem. Contractors can use toolbox talks or lunch meetings to discuss stress and encourage workers to open up about the challenges they are facing and the pressure they may be feeling. Talking about specific stressors on site could help uncover collective solutions or, at the very least, clear the air and put everyone on the same page. 

Ensuring supervisors are well-trained in identifying and reducing stress on the job is critical. Supervisors have high-stress jobs and can be a major cause of stress for workers, so they must be able to cope with stress and communicate well when listening to a worker’s concerns. Employers need to collaborate with their workers in identifying the causes of stress in their workplace. They need to understand the impact of stress on the workers and try to implement strategies preferably aimed at prevention. 

To ease organisational pressures, the respondents in our study suggested the following stress mitigation strategies: 

• Being involved in decision-making. 

• Having more control over their workload and responsibilities. 

• Having the ability to take leave during/between projects. 

• Flexible/reduced working hours. 

• Increased family time. 

• Training and development to improve technical and soft skills. 

• Increased project experience. 

• Site mentorship. 

Support services for construction workers 

There are organisations in New Zealand that offer support to those in the construction industry. Site Safe offers its members free access to the online wellbeing platform Ignite Aotearoa. This also comes with three free sessions with Ignite’s professional experts across a range of topics, from financial advice to counselling. 

Mates in Construction aims to aim reduce the number of lives lost to suicide in the construction industry. It does this by conducting research, raising awareness of the issue, connecting people to support services and working with people on sites. 

Live Well, Build Well is designed to help builders and trades people increase their mental strength and fitness. The aim is to be better equipped when dealing with the demands of working in a demanding and constantly changing industry. 

Building a resilient workforce 

The current economic recession in New Zealand has significantly impacted the construction industry, exacerbating existing challenges. These economic pressures have not only affected the financial stability of construction companies but have also taken a toll on the mental health of workers in the industry.  

Addressing mental health concerns in the construction industry requires a multifaceted approach. It is crucial to create an environment where stress is openly discussed and managed. By fostering a supportive and communicative workplace culture, the construction industry can enhance resilience and ensure the wellbeing of its workforce, even in challenging economic times. 

Emergency and support contacts 

In an emergency, dial 111 if you or someone else is at risk of harm, or: 

• Go with the person to the nearest hospital emergency department. 

• Phone your local DHB Mental Health Crisis team, or visit www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/in-crisis.   

• Free phone or text 1737 to communicate immediately with a counsellor. 

Extra support: 

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (text 4357) 

Youthline: 0800 376 633 

Samaritans: 0800 726 666 

MATES in Construction: 0800 111 315