Flexible Working

This contractor has long recognised there is a need to design more flexible roles and career pathways within construction. This has been accentuated by the pandemic, the increasing skills gap and competition for scarce talent. Consequently, the contractor has introduced a flexible working pilot on on of their sites.

They have adopted new measures to ensure their staff return to work safely and provide a better work/life balance and build a more diverse, healthier workforce. A balanced approach to work/life will open up construction as a career, to countless numbers of people from more varied backgrounds, than has traditionally been the case.

The project team has found flexibility in terms of where there is an ultimate blend of what works for the site and what works for their employees.

A prime example is their Site Security Operative and Site Administrator who have signed up to a Job Share Scheme. They work shifts which are apportioned from 6am-12noon and 12noon-6pm. This enables one to drop off and collect his children from school.

The other member of staff is a retired widower who has years of construction experience. The contractor are an advocate of aging well at work and supporting those over the age of 50 back into the workplace. By adapting the environment in which they operate, they have retained skills and transferred knowledge through flexible part time working. This accommodating approach has provided a successful dynamic project delivery team.