At UMC, Inc., we understand that health and safety are always at the top of everyone’s mind in the construction industry. Our work providing turnkey plumbing and HVAC services for multi-family projects places our employees in potentially hazardous situations daily. After all, when installing plumbing and HVAC services from the ground up, you will need to work with some heavy-duty equipment in potentially dangerous conditions, like the rooftop of a building! We emphasize rigorous safety training, prevention strategies, and heightened awareness on the job site to prevent potential accidents. We’ve become so strict in our approach to safety on the job site that we sometimes remind other contractors to fix potentially hazardous conditions!
But keeping our employees physically safe is only part of the job. We know that working in the construction industry can be a significant source of mental strain for many people. The conditions aren’t always great because you may be outside or in tight places, working with hazardous materials that can be stressful, or the environment on the job site may be unwelcoming. That’s why we’ve prioritized focusing on more than just our employee’s physical health but also their mental health. As Greg Sizemore, Vice President of Health, Safety, and Workplace Development at Associated Builders and Contractors Inc., aptly stated, “Safety includes total human health—emotional, social, mental, intellectual, financial, occupational, and spiritual wellness—and we must continue to raise the bar for safety for the construction workforce of more than 7.5 million.”
At UMC, Inc., we agree with this sentiment and are committed to supporting our employees’ mental health on and off the job site. Here are some of the initiatives we’ve implemented to foster a healthy and positive work environment.
- Comprehensive Benefits and Competitive Compensation: Financial stress and health challenges are significant sources of anxiety for many people. That’s why we prioritize offering competitive compensation and comprehensive health benefits so our employees feel secure and valued.
- Ongoing Training and Education Support: Our training programs go beyond technical skills that simply help our employees stay current with the latest plumbing and HVAC technologies and practices. We also focus on mindset development, organizational skills, habit-building, and positive thinking. We foster a culture of mentorship, supporting new apprentices in their certification journey and helping more experienced employees expand their skill sets and advance in their careers.
- Leadership Development and Open Communication: Positive leadership is key to promoting mental well-being within our team. Our leadership is dedicated to continuously improving processes, enhancing communication, and making management accessible to everyone.
These initiatives reflect our deep commitment to fostering a workplace culture that supports and uplifts our employees. At UMC, Inc., we care about our team members and want to see them succeed in all aspects of their lives. Through these tools and resources, we aim to help our employees manage their mental health and achieve a balanced, fulfilling life both on and off the job.
