Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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A fifth of construction workers lack permanent legal status. Can the next president change that?
Illegal immigration has dominated the headlines during this election season, but building pros are calling for help to get skilled workers to jobsites.
Sebastian Obando • Oct. 15, 2024 -
Anna Moneymaker / Staff via Getty Images
Chevron decision may lead to environmental suits, permit delays
The Loper Bright and Corner Post rulings could open the National Environmental Policy Act, OSHA’s heat standard and other regulations to challenges, legal experts say.
Julie Strupp • Oct. 3, 2024 -
Maja Hitij/Getty Images via Getty Images
How US construction left the world behind
The American building industry has thrived in recent years while growth has eluded contractors in many other countries. Here’s why.
Sebastian Obando • Sept. 30, 2024 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
What employers can expect following the end of Chevron deference
For one thing, the Department of Labor’s regulations may not fare well under federal courts’ scrutiny post-Chevron, a former DOL official told HR Dive.
Ryan Golden • July 18, 2024 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
The heat is on. Contractors say they’re ready.
Commercial construction firms aren't waiting on OSHA's much-anticipated heat standard to protect their workers.
Zachary Phillips • June 6, 2024 -
Brian Snyder/Reuters
Heat-related laws in Texas, Florida, Phoenix to be put to the test
As summer begins, some states prevent cities from mandating water breaks. Still, there are commonsense practices to protect workers from soaring temperatures.
Zachary Phillips • May 23, 2024 -
Sean Pavone via Getty Images
Contractors, owners wait out high interest rates
As long as the Fed doesn't raise already elevated rates, a steady environment could jump-start stalled projects.
Sebastian Obando • May 14, 2024 -
Permission granted by JE Dunn
Why contractors are still all in on manufacturing projects
Despite the sector’s recent deceleration in starts, firms with factory construction specialization are scaling up for more demand.
Sebastian Obando • Jan. 29, 2024 -
Permission granted by Texas Instruments
US manufacturing boom unlocks ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity for contractors
Here are ways construction firms can cash in on the country’s $500 billion onshoring surge and the ancillary projects it is spurring.
Sebastian Obando • Nov. 14, 2023 -
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Security has an underlying defect: passwords and authentication
Cyberattacks are fueled by the shortcomings of business authentication controls. Bad things happen when access falls apart and credentials land in the wrong hands.
Matt Kapko • Sept. 20, 2023 -
How Israel’s startup culture powers contech innovation
The country’s business environment is a boon for enterprising construction technology firms, but it leaves little room to grow once a company is up and running, experts say.
Matthew Thibault • Aug. 23, 2023 -
Skyhobo via Getty Images
Manufacturing megaprojects gobble up workers
From Taylor, Texas, to Licking County, Ohio, multibillion-dollar factory projects are magnifying labor woes and driving up costs.
Sebastian Obando • Aug. 14, 2023 -
Scott Olson / Staff via Getty Images
Contractors face uncertainty over new Florida immigration law
New legislation that requires companies to confirm that employees are allowed to work in the U.S. could result in severe consequences for construction firms.
Zachary Phillips • Updated May 19, 2023 -
sculpies via Getty Images
Will AI take your construction job? Only if you want it to.
Construction pros say given the shortage of workers, the tech will enhance more positions than it replaces, but employment law issues remain.
Chris Wood • May 15, 2023 -
Permission granted by Martin Romine
When school is out, construction is in
As elementary and high schools plan for a surge of federally funded upgrades over the next few months, many administrators remain concerned about spending deadlines.
Kara Arundel • May 15, 2023 -
Courtesy of Associated Builders and Contractors
Banking turmoil stirs up new headwinds for construction
Recent uncertainty among lenders could lead to new challenges for U.S. construction firms as more projects fail to pencil out.
Sebastian Obando • April 17, 2023 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
4 ways that recent banking failures will impact the multifamily sector
After the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature, multifamily borrowers could face challenges finding construction debt and loans from smaller lenders.
Leslie Shaver • April 13, 2023 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Tech vendor risk raises vetting stakes in wake of SVB crisis
Deposits are safe, but tech startups may no longer have access to venture debt and the lines of credit that helped fuel innovation.
Matt Ashare • March 29, 2023 -
Courtesy of Associated Builders and Contractors
Recession watch: Why the next one will be different
Executives from Skanska, DPR, Suffolk and others see unique characteristics in an economic slowdown this year.
Sebastian Obando • Jan. 18, 2023 -
Permission granted by Volumetric Building Companies
Multifamily developers embrace modular building
The sector is turning to prefabrication to speed up project deliveries, but not for any real cost savings during the construction phase, experts say.
Sebastian Obando • Nov. 8, 2022 -
Tom Merton via Getty Images
5 tips for managing FMLA leave and PTO in the post-COVID-19 landscape
On its face, the FMLA may appear simple, but COVID-19 continues to add wrinkles to leave administration.
Ryan Golden • Nov. 3, 2022 -
Permission granted by Suffolk Construction
Rise of the machines? For construction, not yet
Robots' promises of safety and productivity abound, but issues like impact on jobs, added costs and specialized training have kept many contractors on the sidelines.
Matthew Thibault • June 7, 2022 -
Rocky89 via Getty Images
Punching out: The dire state of worker mental health
"It's important that employers do not view mental health as a check-the-box exercise when approaching solutions," said an HR expert.
Carla Bell • June 2, 2022 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
2 years after George Floyd's death: progress yet 'unfulfilled promises' in construction
"I'm working with people who at least aren't openly racist" anymore, one worker said. Construction pros reflect on what's changed — and hasn't — since 2020.
Joe Bousquin • May 23, 2022 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
The Stop WOKE Act may put a 'strategic pause' on DEI efforts
If the controversial legislation goes into effect as written, it will dampen and in some instances end employer efforts to foster growth.
Katie Clarey • May 19, 2022
