Wellness in the workplace looks a bit different for people in the construction industry. While some individuals work in offices and behind the scenes, a large component of construction occurs on the jobsite.
Construction workers’ jobs, with the combination of manual labor and comprehension of a certain set of skills, are tough. These individuals go through extensive training to prepare them for the rigors of the job. Given this, it’s imperative to address worker well-being in construction from a holistic standpoint. Gidel & Kocal Construction is wholly invested in the well-being of our team members. We go to great lengths to ensure the safety and welfare of our employees, including all subcontractors. Understanding the importance of promoting our workers’ best interests is step 1; step 2 is putting it into practice.
Why Construction Workers’ Well-Being Matters
Happy employees are the cornerstone of any well-functioning company, contracting included. To succeed in commercial construction, you need to have team members who feel valued, taken care of, and who are passionate about their work. There are several reasons worker well-being in construction is so important:
- Preventing burnout
- Maintaining quality
- Keeping everyone safe
- Optimizing creativity and performance
The role of training programs is to ensure that all the plans project managers, clients, and owners put into place run smoothly without hiccups. Proper training gives workers the tools and guidance to set them up for success. It also provides all team members with instruction on what to do if things go awry.
Holistic Safety Training Programs
The type of training programs we implement at Gidel & Kocal Construction address worker well-being from all aspects, including physical and mental. We have strategies and protocols in place to ensure the well-being of workers on construction sites as well as offsite (i.e., project management roles, during pre-construction, when dealing with clients and stakeholders, etc.). We ensure the right people on the job have the certifications needed to handle the project with the knowledge and safety needed to complete it. Certifications include OSHA 30 Asbestos Abatement, and even CPR/First Aid training.
Skills Development
As part of our goal of attracting and retaining the top talent in the industry, we implement training programs to enhance workers’ construction skills. While we want our employees to have a solid understanding of what they’re walking into, we also recognize that it is our responsibility to provide them with additional education about the operations they are performing. This opens the door to career development opportunities, which may be mutually beneficial for both individuals as well as general contractor companies.
Here at Gidel & Kocal Construction, we also participate in Construction Inclusion Week. This multi-day annual event is a collective effort of general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers on a mission to build awareness about diversity and inclusion in the construction industry. The training provides content and resources to construction firms that help create alignment and open the door to more honest conversations about the individuals who make up our industry.
Mental Health Support
The conversation around mental health has grown leaps and bounds in recent years. These days, people are much more forthcoming when speaking about their journeys. Forward-thinking companies like ours support this progress. One of the unique ways progressive construction companies like Gidel & Kocal Construction prioritize worker well-being is by recognizing the importance of mental health assistance. Stress is a legitimate part of working in this field. There are many valid reasons to be concerned about safety, performance, quality, and execution on a daily basis. The hours are long and the work is intense. Additionally, workers may be experiencing outside stress that could impact their work life. We are careful to never overschedule subcontractors to prevent exhaustion, which can be extremely dangerous in the field.
Safety First & Foremost
Gidel & Kocal Construction is dedicated to a safe work environment beyond the jobsite. We have an open-door policy in place so everyone knows they can come forward with any concerns. Our family-run construction company is exactly that; it is run by a family who treats everyone as family.
Building a workplace where people are happy to go to work is important to us. We are all about client satisfaction, but that can only be achieved if the employees themselves feel valued and satisfied in their own positions. A positive work environment translates to more positive outcomes in our construction projects, no matter the size, scope, or nature of the build. We are committed to promoting a culture of safety, integrity, and quality. To learn more about what it’s like to work with a construction company that puts their workers first, we encourage you to contact us today.
