My partner works in construction. It’s tough because yes, he has leave, but he needs that leave for the end of each year. Much like office jobs, he is forced to take at least a few weeks leave at the end of the year when sites shut down - he can’t work through if he has no leave like year-round industries can. However, his work can’t be done from home like office jobs who also take leave at the end of the year, however don’t need to take leave as they can WFH. So, he’s in a position where if this extends too far, he’s going to have to go unpaid for a period of the holidays as he won’t have enough leave in the bank. There are also apprentices being impacted - can’t do a lot of apprenticeships as distance study.

I think it’s the fact that there’s been efforts to maintain a living for other industries affected - I’m in retail but can keep working as we are allowed to operate click and collect. My parents have office jobs and work from home. Hospitality can operate takeaway.

Also, a lot of tradies receive things like overtime, site allowance, etc. Even if they have enough leave to cover sites being closed, they’re probably missing out on a lot of allowances they would be receiving if they were on a job.

Considering from a business owners perspective - how does construction make money? By doing the job - no other way. If they don’t meet a deadline they can be up for extra costs. Retail has e-commerce, hospitality has takeaway and delivery services, essential work is still running. How does a little confusing government assistance help with missing a contract deadline? It honestly doesn’t.

Just my opinion from what I have experienced!