Impact of COVID-19 on Field and Office Workforce in the Construction Sector of Bangladesh

The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the construction industry has resulted in project delays, labor shortages, job layoffs, time and cost overruns, and financial instability. In this study, we used logistic regression to analyzed how sociodemographic factors, project characteristics, effects of the pandemic on the projects, and policies adopted by employers were associated with participants’ mental health regarding job security, financial loss, and working from home satisfaction. Job insecurity was significant among the employees who were between 18-29 years, working in multiple locations, engaged in government projects, bridge construction work, experienced temporary suspension, pay cuts, instructed to work from home, and had more than 30% of co-workers affected by COVID. Likewise, fear of getting infected was observed in many of the groups such as middle-aged (30-39) employees, holding the position of managing director, working experience between 0 to 5 years, having more than 30% of co-workers affected by COVID, disruptions in project schedules, when monitoring safety policies could be improved, and satisfactory level supply of safety equipment. Furthermore, working from home satisfaction was correlated with co-workers’ mindfulness regarding safety measures, excellent level of safety policies the at office, arranging workshops and training, supporting elderly and pregnant employees, and satisfactory level of duty roaster management. The findings of this study reveal that the COVID-19 crisis has a varied impact on individuals working in the construction industry in terms of mental health. This information could help identify target groups and situation-specific interventions to help alleviate the problem.