Over 700 construction workers die by suicide each year, equivalent to two every working day, with silent discrimination being a significant factor
The construction sector is a male-dominated industry that often grapples with a stigma surrounding mental health. Long hours and job insecurity are significant contributors to poor mental health in the sector.
Colemans, a contractor specialising in demolition, deconstruction, and dismantling, investigated the consequence of this stigma known as ‘silent discrimination’.
What is silent discrimination?
Silent discrimination, also known as ‘covert discrimination’ or ‘subtle discrimination’, refers to biases and prejudices that are not openly expressed or easily noticeable. This leads to unequal treatment of individuals or groups based on their gender, race, age, sexuality, or other protected characteristics.
Examples of silent discrimination include excluding individuals with mental health issues from projects or social events due to perceived limitations and unintentionally allowing biases to influence hiring or promotion decisions. Using derogatory language or making disparaging remarks about those struggling with mental health problems is also a component of silent discrimination.
The importance of language in the workplace
Derogatory language is common across the construction industry. It is essential to differentiate between “banter” and bullying, as research shows that 21% of construction employees have experienced bullying in the past year, with nearly three in ten labelling it as “banter”.
“Mental health is a serious issue and is something we see affect those in the industry all too often. Breaking this stigma, educating others, and supporting employees and colleagues is extremely important. Having experienced difficulties myself, I understand how difficult it is to get this right,” commented Mark Coleman, chief executive at Colemans.
Colemans also examined other aspects of mental health in the industry, including its effects and barriers to disclosure, and consulted experts to offer tips on how the industry can reduce this stigma. The full research can be read here.
