Covid-19 Lockdowns—Effect on Female Worker Well-Being in New Zealand Construction Professions

The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in lockdowns at short notice. Job sites were shut down and people isolated to working from home. While working remotely can lower carbon footprints through reducing travel and office overheads, this changed the way that people worked and interacted with colleagues, friends, and family, re-defining the eight-hour working day, and increasing reliance on technology for working remotely. A survey was distributed to females working in construction professions via the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) to determine the effect on their well-being during the changes in their working environment during Covid-19 lockdowns. A total of 306 responses were received comprising a range of professions from around New Zealand. Participants reported variable impacts on their work-life balance and generally decreased productivity when working from home during Covid-19 lockdowns. Most workloads either increased or remained the same. The most prevalent support systems provided by employers involved regular team check-in sessions and flexible working hours. The support factor which participants felt most lacking was quality work equipment and technology support. Participants reported little change to their sleep and exercise routines, but generally experienced negative impacts to their diets and social interactions with colleagues, friends, and family. Findings can inform government and industry about how to best accommodate flexible working arrangements and prepare for future disruptive events such as pandemics.