A descriptive study of work – time behaviour of construction personnel in the Kumasi Metropolis

Abstract

The health of employees is very vital for the sustainability of every business. Therefore, exploitation of employees through work overload has the potential to reduce productivity and business profitability especially where the employees are not motivated. Even though several scientific studies indicate that work overload is prevalent in the construction sector, not many of such studies exist in Ghana. Where there is some information, the dynamics of the industry would require recent data for accurate decision making. The study was therefore designed to analyze the effects of long working hours in the construction industry with emphasizes on businesses in the Kumasi metropolis. The study used a purposive and judgmental sampling techniques to obtain 100 study participants. Subsequently, a structured questionnaire containing both opened and closed ended questions were administered. Respondents included managers, supervisors, artisans and labourers. The data was analyzed in SPSS version 20 from which results were presented as percentages and frequencies, and in tables and charts. The results of the study suggests the 53 % of the respondents get very exhausted after work. To forestall high energy loss, 75 % at least, take in some form of an
energy booster (i.e. cigarette, alcohol, undisclosed drugs). While 93% skip break and only do so when they feel tired or hungry, 7 % stick to a fixed break period. Again, 78 % respondents work more than 8 hours a day with 90 % starting work not later than 8 am. Proper regulatory measures should be used to guide working in the construction sector. The study has generated information which supports that over work does not improve quality of work but reduces punctuality and regularity and increases employees’ chance of making errors.