Month: March 2025

Working in construction for a General Contractor, I work with members of a union daily. My superintendent was once in a union before starting to work for a general contractor, and our foreman is hired through our general contractor while still being employed by the union. While working with them, and our subcontractors who have laborers employed by a union, I have been able to understand some of the pros and cons.

Labor unions are a pilar of our nation. The first labor union was established in 1774 for leather workers and cobblers. Since then, labor unions have been the foundation of our countries. From nurses to teachers to electricians, unions have been supporting the American worker assuring fair wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Often, you might hear about labor unions on strike on the news and at times this can be the reality of a union. This might be seen as a bad thing, but the union uses its power to put pressure on employers to negotiate for better benefits, wages, and working conditions. This is one of the benefits of working for a labor union, receiving competitive wages, and having great job security. The union will insure that you have work to do and will compensate you if not. Something I found out from my foreman on site, is that his union has to pay you every week, and for every hour you go unpaid from when you were supposed to receive your pay, they owe you hourly compensation, even if you’re asleep!

On top of fair wages, benefits, and working conditions, unions support workers in their career advancements with a typical 4 to 5 year path. This allows those who don’t want to go to college or what a career change to easily begin working for a union with little to no experience. However, if you do have some experience, often you still have to go through the same 4 to 5 year pathway which can be frustrating and limiting to some. Additionally, compared to a typical job, joining a union can have an extensive and competitive application process. For many, these cons are worth the benefits they receive from the union and many really enjoy the path and job security that a union can provide. Unions work for many people, and unions work for America.

Pros and cons of Union Apprenticeships in Construction Trades. Classet. (n.d.). https://www.classet.org/post/exploring-the-benefits-of-a-union-apprenticeship

Public Broadcasting Service. (2024, April 22). 6 facts about labor union history in the U.S. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/lesson-plans/2023/09/6-facts-about-labor-union-history-in-the-us#:~:text=The%20first%20labor%20union%20in,cobblers)%2C%20founded%20in%201794.

In today’s fast-paced professional environment, stress is almost unavoidable. After taking the Life Stress Inventory, Coping and Stress Management Skills Test, and Type A Personality Survey to better understand my stress levels and coping mechanisms, the results were both resonating and eye-opening.

What I Learned About Myself

The Life Stress Inventory indicated that I have a moderate-to-high risk of experiencing stress-related health issues in the next 2 years due to various life events. There has definitely been events in the last year that have lead to negative stress in my life, but at the same time, I feel like I do better in a more stressful environment. I feel dissatisfied in life if I do not have enough responsibilities on my plate, but with that come stress. I try to balance my stress levels to where I stay motivated, but don’t get overwhelmed. The Coping and Stress Management Skills Test revealed that I often rely on problem-focused coping, which works well when I have control over a situation but isn’t as effective for uncontrollable stressors. Lastly, the Type A Personality Survey confirmed that I exhibit some Type A traits, such as impatience and urgency, which can contribute to stress if not managed properly. However, I believe myself to be have more of a Type B personality.

Steps to Manage Stress in My Professional Career

Based on these insights, I plan to take proactive steps to ensure stress does not negatively impact my well-being or productivity:

1. Adopting Emotional Coping Strategies: Since not all stressors are within my control, I will incorporate mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation techniques to handle uncertainty. Especially when I get overwhelmed at work this will be most effective. I tend to get short and snappy if I feel stress from too many responsibilities on my plate.
2. Time Management and Work-Life Balance: It will be important to set boundaries, prioritize tasks, and taking regular breaks to help prevent burnout. The company I am working for after graduation has a very generous PTO policy which they expect you to utilize to take breaks and manage your personal life so you can perform better as an employee while you are at work.
3. Physical and Mental Well-being: Exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep are also essential for managing my stress. This will allow me to feel like my best self and perform effectively. Additionally, the company I will be working for has a health and wellness program that helps you make purchases such as gym memberships, apple watches, personal trainers, sports activities, etc.

How Organizations Are Addressing Workplace Stress

Organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of stress management. Many companies are now implementing Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), offering mental health resources, and promoting flexible work arrangements to help employees manage stress. Wellness initiatives like on-site fitness programs, stress management workshops, and mental health days are also becoming more common. Like I mentioned earlier regarding the generous PTO policy, my company also has a health and wellness program that helps you make purchases such as gym memberships, apple watches, personal trainers, sports activities, etc.

Understanding my stress triggers and coping mechanisms is a valuable step toward my personal and professional growth. As organizations continue to focus on employee well-being, it’s essential that individuals also take responsibility for managing their own stress. By balancing problem-solving with emotional resilience, I can navigate challenges more effectively and maintain a healthier work-life balance.