Implementing a compressed working week in the Irish construction industry: perceived impact on health and wellbeing of employees

Irish construction professionals have long been acknowledged for working a traditional five-day work pattern, with inflexible work hours, while commuting extended hours, to and from work each day. The aim of this study is to investigate the compressed work week as an alternative work schedule, increasing hours worked per day and reducing working days, while still achieving the standard number of hours worked, under the lens of the perceived impact on health and wellbeing of these professionals. To ascertain the impact, six in-depth semi-structured interviews are conducted with construction professionals in the Irish construction industry. The results are transcribed, coded and themes highlighted under two overarching concepts; positive and negative impact of the introduction of compressed working week on health and wellbeing. The results, although based on the perceptions of a small sample, indicate potential positive impact on health and wellbeing include; more time with family/friends, more time for and better-quality rest and recuperation, less commuting time, increased leisure time and, longer weekends. However, several negative impacts on health and wellbeing emerged; potential exhaustion, particularly those with physically strenuous tasks, poor diet due to longer time on-site, increased difficulty working in winter months (cold/daylight), exhaustion post commute home after a long twelve-hour day and, not seeing family/friends due to late arrival home. Subsequently, the findings indicate a divergence of opinion with those interviewed, based on two core factors; the age of the interviewee and their profession; that is, if they experienced physical exertion, carrying out their daily tasks. Those of a younger age showed a preference for the introduction of a compressed working week, while those of an older age, and, carrying our physical tasks, were far less enthusiastic on the adoption of the revised working week. The results indicate that, although from a small sample size, the introduction of a compressed working week has the potential to increase employee well-being; however, due to the increased working day, the adverse effects of diet and exhaustion, both on-site but also when commuting home, must also be given due consideration.