How important is it to be “happy” at work? And how much does your work impact your “happiness”? Very and a lot, according to many recent studies.
Employees with low levels of job satisfaction - being unhappy at and discontent with their jobs - are much more likely to experience high levels of anxiety, depression, burn-out, low levels of self-esteem, and other mental health issues.
And, on the flip side, higher job satisfaction leads to better mental and physical health. It’s critical to our overall well-being! These elements are so intertwined that the U.S. Surgeon General released a Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being for the first time ever in late 2022. The framework lists the following as the five key essentials for advancing mental health and well-being in the workplace (and remember, mental health and well-being are what determine job satisfaction and “happiness”):
- Protection from harm
- Connection and community
- Work-life harmony
- Mattering at work
- Opportunity for growth
Ask any building trades worker and they’ll tell you that these are the exact things that they love most about their jobs and careers: 
- Your safety and well-being are the #1 priority in the trades. YOU are the most valuable asset to the project at hand and are treated as such.
- There’s an incredible community here. Tradespeople are known for the steadfast support they give each other through thick and thin, which is why you often hear it called a “sisterhood” or “brotherhood.”
- The work-life balance is great. While it can be hard work, your hours are set and you can’t bring your work home. When you’re off, you’re off, giving you more time to focus on your friends, family, and hobbies.
- In the trades, your work matters. A lot. In the trades, you build the spaces where life happens, creating tangible and long-lasting benefits for the community and a legacy to go with it.
- Construction is booming and trades are in extremely high demand - the opportunities here are almost limitless!
However, even in the best work environments and circumstances, there are times when the sun doesn’t seem to shine as bright as it should. And in those cases, the trades have incredible resources to get you the help you need. For example, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) has a program called Helping Hand, an initiative that provides training, education, and resource development to help members and their families who are forced to deal with substance use disorder (SUD), alcoholism, and mental health challenges. You’ll be hard pressed to find an industry as committed to the health and well-being of their members as the construction trades. Here, you’ll never struggle alone.
Finding joy in our work and finding a workplace that supports our mental health and well-being aren’t nice-to-haves—they are essential. And a career in the trades checks every box!
If you’re looking for a new career that can bring you happiness, satisfaction, and deep fulfillment, consider joining the thousands of women and men pursuing a career in the building trades. Learn how to get started today.
