Life management of the quantity surveyors working for contractors at sites: female vs male

Abstract

Purpose The construction industry (CI) is known for heavy workloads and long working hours. Consequently, quantity surveyors (QSs) find it difficult to integrate work with life. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the causes and consequences of poor life management (LM) in both female and male QSs working for contractors at construction sites and strategies that would improve the LM of the QSs. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a mixed research approach by conducting semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire survey to identify the significant causes and consequences of poor LM in QSs and strategies that would improve the LM of the QSs. Manual content analysis and mean weighted rating (MWR) were used to analyze the collected data. Findings Heavy workloads are the most significant cause of poor LM in QSs. The study found that male QSs are highly addicted to substance use and that female QSs lose sleep because of poor LM. Teamwork is the most significant strategy that would enhance the LM of both female and male QSs working at sites. Originality/value The traditional work–life balance refers to the harmony between work and non-work lives of an individual. LM is associated with five spheres of life: work, family life, health, social life and spiritual life. Given that, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous studies have focused on LM, this study becomes significant because it identifies the causes and consequences of poor LM of QSs working in the CI and the strategies that would enhance the LM of the QSs.

Retention over Attraction: A Review of Women’s Experiences in the Australian Construction Industry; Challenges and Solutions

“…The sector clings to restrictive work norms, such as long work hours and tight timetables. Historically, long working hours and rigid work practices have been identified as the top reason for women leaving the construc-tion industry [37,42,45,48,49]. Heavy workload, job pressure and insufficient personal time were identified as the cause of poor life management in the construction industry [45,48].…”

“…Historically, long working hours and rigid work practices have been identified as the top reason for women leaving the construc-tion industry [37,42,45,48,49]. Heavy workload, job pressure and insufficient personal time were identified as the cause of poor life management in the construction industry [45,48]. The representation of women in the industry is low which suggests that the construction industry does not promote flexibility in work and family balance [20,37].…”

“…A participant in their study stated that "the standard working day is ten hours plus travel and it is exhausting. I am working towards leaving the industry because the hours are simply too much" [37] The practice of long working hours makes the recon-ciliation harder between work and family for women [7,38,45] and domestic respon-sibilities together with family duties [48]. The unsatisfactory life management leads to women developing more health issues, adverse consequences and stress than their male colleagues [7,48].…”

“…I am working towards leaving the industry because the hours are simply too much" [37] The practice of long working hours makes the recon-ciliation harder between work and family for women [7,38,45] and domestic respon-sibilities together with family duties [48]. The unsatisfactory life management leads to women developing more health issues, adverse consequences and stress than their male colleagues [7,48]. Although many female construction professionals in the study of Zhang et al [20] indicated to be in the construction sector for the next five years, the work-family conflict appeared to their significant concern.…”

Stressors of quantity surveyors working on-site: Female vs male

“…Thus, heavy workload/overtime/inflexible work is the most significant stressor of male QSs working on-site for contractors. According to Lingard, et al (2007), as cited in Perera, et al (2021), on-site construction personnel must work long hours, even during weekends. The second most significant stressor of male QSs working on-site for contractors is the inadequate earned income.…”