A study of 500 sole traders in construction or utilities has found 17% feel lonely at work – with 25% of plumbers saying they spend the majority of their working day alone
A staggering one in five tradespeople, particularly plumbers and electricians, report feeling lonely on the job, a recent study of 500 sole traders in construction or utilities has found. It found 17% feel isolated while at work and a quarter of plumbers said they spend the majority of their working day alone.
The research highlighted that plumbers and electricians are the most affected by feeling of loneliness, with construction workers also feeling the same. This sense of loneliness is often due to limited social interaction and extended working hours, leaving four out of ten finding it tough to voice work-related worries.
According to the research, three quarters of plumbers confessed to feeling burnt out – more than any other profession polled. A significant 65% of these skilled workers also find the business and administrative aspects of their roles challenging.
Speaking on behalf of Mira Showers, which conducted the survey as part of an initiative to support plumbers and installers, Daniel Martin commented: “It can be tricky to manage workload, especially for sole traders. Long days at work and relying on a workforce of one, can lead to a certain feeling of isolation and loneliness.
He added: “One of the biggest unseen factors in this, is when the physical job is done, there are still a lot of business and admin tasks left to do. This can be overwhelming, especially given many tradespeople have no formal training for this side of the job, which increases their working day.”
The recent study showed a staggering 80% of tradespeople feel pressured to work more hours than they believe they should each day, with this rising to 82% of plumbers and installers.
Despite 67% appreciating the freedom of self-employment, they say they are bogged down by extra tasks such as client communication (46%), invoicing (45%), and the dreaded tax returns (45%). With the latter causing the biggest headache of all.
Alarmingly, two-thirds are seeking help to navigate these additional responsibilities, but a shortfall in funds (31%) and uncertainty on where to find help (22%) are major hurdles.
Moreover, due to the relentless work demands, a significant 80% wish they could spend more quality time with family. Sleep quality (30%), time for relaxation (28%), and stress levels (28%) were also among the other things that suffered as a result of their busy schedule.
Daniel Martin for Mira Showers added: “This research has confirmed a lot of what we already knew, especially within the plumbing and installing community. The pressures of work for these, like many of us, have a wider impact on home and social lives.
“Although this increases the feeling of loneliness, there are people and tools out there that can help lighten the load and make things more manageable.
“Through our online platform, InstallerPRO we hope to provide plumbers with the advice they need to better balance their life, including tips on improved business acumen and healthier lunch choices.”
