Flex from the Start: Evaluation

<p dir="ltr">As one of Australia’s biggest employers, the construction industry could be a game changer for women’s equality. But inflexible masculine norms and working practices are locking women out of construction.</p><p dir="ltr">Flex from the Start empowered workers on three construction sites to co-design their own flexible work trials, which were observed over an eight-month period.</p><p dir="ltr">The interventions that were role modelled by leaders and adopted by all team members were the most successful.</p><p dir="ltr">Successful interventions included a compressed working week, rostered time off, and flexible working plans tailored to individuals’ needs.</p><p dir="ltr">While the move to flexible work is positive, unless there is a change to the overall long working hours in construction there will be ongoing negative impacts on worker wellbeing and women’s participation.</p><p dir="ltr">A longer study period would allow more time to gather information on how to shift workplace behaviours and attitudes to flexible work.</p>