Each year, Bamboo HR conducts a survey of employees from a wide range of industries. The survey measures several things, including retention, training, promotion and the overall satisfaction of employees. According to their 2024 survey, construction ranks the highest in employee satisfaction over every other industry they measured. The survey considered 8 industries, and included more than 57,000 responses.
So what makes construction employees so happy?
Employees were asked several things, including their likelihood of recommending their employer to friends and family. This year, more than half of all construction employees surveyed rated their employers as “excellent” or even better.
There are several key takeaways from the survey. First, smaller companies fare better on the “happiness scale.”
The employees surveyed come from a wide range of company sizes and locations. But the employees who were most likely to recommend their employers came from companies with 75 or less employees. This is good news for the merit shop. A significant number of merit shop companies are small, family run businesses. The smaller model lends itself to a more family-like culture. Employees are able to speak directly with supervisors, and build relationships at all levels of their teams.
Next, the “happiness” factor considers employees at all stages of their career. While you might be tempted to think that companies with the longest tenured employees are happiest, the trend this year is showing that younger teams report a “happier” atmosphere. Teams where a large number of employees have worked for the company for less than 3 years report the greatest satisfaction. This could indicate an excitement from those new to the industry. It could also reflect the emphasis on training and mentoring with new employees.
Finally, greater happiness is reported due to the perceived strength of the industry. Survey respondents indicated that the additional investments in infrastructure give them confidence in the longevity of their employment, leading to greater satisfaction. In addition, wages have increased over the last few years, and demand for workers remains high, which benefits the pay structures of existing employees.
At a recent ABC of Wisconsin HR+ Business Administration Conference, younger workers were asked about their perceived “happiness” in the industry. Each had spent 2-3 years with their employers, and discussed what appealed to them about their careers in construction. Their responses mirrored much of the Bamboo HR survey results.
In all cases, the employees mentioned their employers “felt like family.” They mentioned enjoying drinks after work, cookouts with their teams, and other opportunities to build strong relationships. In addition, the employees celebrated the service cultures of their companies. They found satisfaction in serving with their teams at food banks and other community projects, and believed the service opportunities allowed them to bond, and perform better when on the job.
Next, they felt respected, challenged and mentored. They value a culture where they can grow their skills and earn promotions. Again, the merit shop provides incredible opportunities for employees who want growth. When skills are celebrated and employees are given upward mobility, they are more eager to stay around for the long-term.
Pay and benefits also play key roles in attracting and keeping these employees, along with flexibility to accommodate family needs, and confidence in the future of the industry.
There is much to celebrate with the results of the Bamboo HR survey, especially while recognizing that ABC members are uniquely qualified to create cultures where happiness can be part of the benefits package.
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