A recent report from human resources tech company Bamboo HR shows the construction industry has the happiest workforce of all sectors, according to Construction Dive.
Bamboo HR measured the Employee Net Promoter Score at more than 1,600 companies, calculating how likely workers were to recommend their company as a place to work during the past three years. In addition to construction, the company surveyed workers in the technology; finance; nonprofit; restaurants, food and beverage; travel and hospitality; education; and health care industries.
The report attributed construction workers’ happiness to rising wages and numerous job opportunities but also warned the industry’s labor shortage will put pressure on existing employees in the coming months. From January to May, construction worker happiness dropped 81%, which the report said likely was a result of the pressure caused by staffing issues.
Although employee happiness across industries has fluctuated during the past three years, construction employees’ happiness generally has remained high. However, the industry continues to struggle with its high suicide rate and high overdose mortality rate.
Construction workers’ happiness peaked in 2020 as residential projects boomed and contractors experienced deep backlogs, offering job security for workers. In addition, in 2022, hourly construction wages reached a 40-year high, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act helped to create high demand for construction work.
