The case for family-friendly work practices in the Australian construction industry

Although significant changes at the social, demographic, technological and workforce levels have transformed the relationship between family and work, these changes have not been reflected in the employment practices of many construction companies. Many of the job and organisational factors found to be negatively associated with family functioning are pertinent to construction professionals. Staff are expected to work long hours in demanding roles and this, combined with job insecurity and frequent relocation, means that family life and individual well-being can be compromised. A growing body of research has found that the implementation of family-friendly work policies and practices can lead to greater productivity, lower attrition rates and higher morale in the workplace. In addition providing a work environment that is supportive of workers' family roles can help to alleviate work related mental health problems. This paper outlines the changing demographic trends and societal attitudes that are making individuals and organisations question current work cultures and structures. Options for making the construction industry a more family-friendly work environment are considered. All professionals, regardless of their age, gender and family responsibilities, can benefit from these initiatives. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of these issues for construction companies and future research work.