A hungry worker is less productive

Working in construction is much like being an athlete; without high levels of energy, the level of quality work declines and mistakes become more common. Contractors need to be concerned about the diets of their workers. A tradesperson’s most important asset is not their tools! It’s their health! Bad nutrition results in sluggishness, short tempers, mental errors, lost innovation and perhaps even an on-site accident.

In Australia, there is the catchy industry acronym ‘SNAPO’, which stands for Smoking, Nutrition, Alcohol, Physical activity, Obesity. It neatly sums up the key elements of a healthy lifestyle that supports a career in construction. Smoking and alcohol obviously have no place on the worksite. Excesses in either during personal hours takes a toll on health too. Physical activity beyond work itself is important to overall health, but is an after-hours issue that many employers have difficulty addressing.  However, the one area that can be positively addressed by contractors is nutrition.

Heath is closely related to diet
The issue goes further than simply eating more. What a worker eats is equally important. Poor diet choices can lead to a number of longer term health problems too, not the least of which is excessive weight gain (aka obesity), which in itself is a huge drag on productivity. A report by the International Labour Organization investigating the effects of poor nutrition on workers suggested that employers need to recognize their direct interest in improving the diet of their employees.  However,  advising on food choices is often seen as an afterthought or a personal intrusion by employers, and therefore becomes a missed opportunity to increase productivity and morale.

The good and the not-so-good of carbs
Tradespeople in construction need energy to work well. That means fuel, which in turns means carbohydrates and protein. However, there are good carbs and not-so-good carbs. As an example, the good carbs are items such as brown rice, pasta, and beans. The not-so-good carbs include sugar and potatoes. Good balances can be found in fish, chicken, and lean beef. As a resource, Livestrong.com offers a number of suggestions for construction workers as a guide to healthier diet choices throughout the day.

Good nutrition starts with the first meal of the day: breakfast. Workers need to be energized from the moment they enter the site. A breakfast that includes eggs, toast, and fruit is far better than a protein shake or a toasted breakfast treats like Pop Tarts. While a contractor may never know what a team member eats at home in the morning, lunch gives the contractor an opportunity to check on proper balanced choices.

Contractors; Take a leadership role
Most Canadian contractors working in home construction and renovation don’t offer canteens and don’t have to be concerned about the junk that spews out of most food vending machines in a food court. However doesn’t mean that an employer can assume their workers are aware how the contents of their lunch pails or brown paper bags impact their productivity. There is, in fact, a leadership role to be played by employers. Keeping an eye on what their team members are eating presents an opportunity to correct poor eating habits that ultimately hurt both the worker and the contractor.

Incorporating good nutrition and correct food choices can be made less of a personal intrusion when incorporated into the training of employees as they join the firm. Once a few team members are part of the program, it’s easier for others to join in, through the positive influence of their co-workers.

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