This episode is part three of a special three-part series exploring culture in the construction industry. Across the series, we unpack the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the sector, including mental health, workforce sustainability, diversity, leadership, and the evolving expectations of construction workplaces.
Michelle Turner is a Professor at RMIT University whose research focuses on construction workers' health and wellbeing, women in construction, and student resilience. With a background as a project professional before entering academia, Michelle has authored extensive research on workplace wellbeing, co-authored a book on health and wellbeing in the construction industry, and played a key role in evaluating the Australian Culture in Construction Taskforce pilot projects designed to improve workplace culture across major construction projects.
In this episode, Michelle explains how the Culture in Construction Taskforce is transforming construction by tackling excessive work hours, improving mental health, increasing workplace flexibility and creating more inclusive environments for women. She discusses the evidence behind the pilot projects, why a five-day work week can improve productivity without increasing costs, the systemic barriers preventing women from entering and remaining in construction and why creating mentally healthy workplaces requires changing how work is designed—not simply expecting workers to become more resilient.
Resources and links: Michelle Turner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-turner-05915b2a/ RMIT University: https://www.rmit.edu.au/profiles/t/michelle-turner
Connect: The Society of Construction Law Australia website: https://www.scl.org.au/ The Society of Construction Law Australia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/society-of-construction-law-australia/…;
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast series are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Society of Construction Law Australia (SoCLA). The content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, professional, or other advice. Listeners should consider their own circumstances and seek appropriate advice from qualified professionals before acting on any information contained in this podcast. This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information.