Tradespeople suffer from feeling of isolated at work, study finds

Nearly one in five tradespeople are grappling with loneliness, a recent study has shown. A survey of 500 independent tradespersons found that plumbers and electricians are the most susceptible to feelings of isolation, closely followed by those in the building sector.

This loneliness was attributed to limited social interactions and long working hours and according to the survey, a quarter of plumbers spend the majority of their working day alone. The research showed three quarters of plumbers confessed to feeling burnt out – more than any other profession polled, often struggling to deal with the business and admin side of the job.

Daniel Martin, for Mira Showers, which commissioned the research and is aiming to support plumbers and installers, said: “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 continued by highlighting: “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.”

Eight in ten tradespeople feel pressured to put in more hours than they believe they should each day, with plumbers and installers particularly affected. While 67% said they enjoy being their own boss, they’re also bogged down by extra tasks such as client communication (46%), invoice management (45%), and tax returns (45%) – the latter being the most daunting.

Two thirds admit they have looked for support to deal with these additional jobs. However, a lack of budget to cover the cost (31%) was the main reason stopping them, while 22% were unsure where to even begin to look for the help they need.

Many wish they had more time with their families and others admit they suffer from stress and low sleep quality.

Daniel Martin from Mira Showers commented: “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.”