Construction

Also in May 2016, construction union UCATT published the results of its survey showing that almost two thirds (64%) of building workers are suffering from stress. The survey found that over three quarters (76%) of respondents had suffered work-related stress at some point and almost a third (30%) had taken time off work due to stress. In addition, 35% said they were suffering from a mental illness or had suffered from a mental illness and 44% of these members had taken time off due to mental health issues. But 75% had not raised their problems with management; 57% said their workplace had no interest in their mental health; and 93% did not tell the union.

“Governments may not take too much notice of stress in the workplace but UCATT does,” said UCATT acting general secretary Brian Rye. “What this survey shows us is that we have a significant issue affecting thousands of us in our daily lives, and which degrades our lives to such an extent we take time off work. And yet, it is an issue which is kept largely secret, is never addressed at work, and in many cases is suffered in painful silence. The taboo of not talking about depression and anxiety needs to be addressed – for everyone’s health and safety.”