Researchers from CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training recently collaborated with a large building trade union, an apprenticeship program and a union-contractor alliance to explore how bullying and harassment affect construction workers and develop a survey to help understand abusive conduct in the industry, according to CPWR. The study was published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.
The goal of the survey was to gather data to be used for training and other interventions. Researchers received more than 3,300 responses, including more than 500 “narrative responses that provide unique and diverse perspectives on member experiences, attitudes and ideas for action.”
After receiving the feedback, CPWR revised the survey to also collect information regarding specific locations where bullying takes place; acts of retaliation for confronting or reporting bullying; attitudes and beliefs about abusive behavior; the role of work-related factors such as hygiene conditions, lack of paid time off and lack of training; specific effects of bullying on a recipient (such as mental health, retaliation or wanting to quit); and the role of travel for work and/or being far from home.
The results of the research helped to create a survey tailored to construction that considers factors specific to the sector, such as the role of apprenticeship, hazing and the small number of women in the workforce.
CPWR said: “This construction industry bullying and harassment survey can be used with confidence to find out how negative acts are impacting construction workers and to develop specific strategies to address them.”
Researchers plan to expand use of the survey to other industry organizations to promote regular assessments and interventions to reduce bullying and harassment in construction.
