Well-being goes beyond: Turning awareness into action
ESS Companies (ESSC) exists for the workers, which means looking out for each other, speaking up, and building a culture where nobody carries the load alone. Our companies, Achen-Gardner Construction, Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS), Rummel Construction, and Premier Testing Laboratories, put their employee-owners first. That includes supporting their well-being — physical and mental. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and there is no better time to turn awareness into action.
It starts with us
Supporting people for the load they carry both on and off the job is vital to ESSC companies’ success – and that support starts at the top.
“Mental health is just as important as physical health. Both are essential to our overall well-being.”
– Vanessa Andersen, Executive Vice President, Rummel Construction
According to Vanessa, the company supports its people’s well-being through training on emotional intelligence, active listening, and how to recognize signs of burnout, stress, or unusual behaviors, just as they train daily for safety and physical risks on the job.
Field leaders are ready to support their teams, physically and mentally. According to Josh Lindsay, Rummel Construction superintendent, it starts with being honest with yourself as a leader, so you can be there for your team. “I’ve learned to stay confident in my abilities and stay patient when things change. Keeping a level head helps me, and it helps the crew,” he said.
Teamwork works
Well-being isn’t just about managing stress. It’s about noticing when something is off and being a teammate who steps in instead of walking past. “Sometimes a ‘How are you?’ opens the door for a real conversation,” Josh said. “We can’t fix everything, but just knowing someone cares goes a long way.”
That kind of check-in mindset is echoed by Jason Dahl, ESS superintendent. “We’re teammates. If one of our team members is struggling, be aware, sensitive, and strong enough to do something.”
Being a good team member is that simple and that powerful. But it’s equally important to check in on yourself.
“Taking five to ten minutes before and after work to collect my thoughts clears the clutter. It keeps me focused and helps prevent burnout.”
– Kevin Quinlan, Superintendent, Achen-Gardner Construction
Making it count
The more advice and awareness our employee-owners can give each other, the more action will happen. They show up for each other in ways that go beyond the jobsite, and they’re in it together. They have a crew and company that is committed to supporting them in every way that counts, from physical safety to mental well-being.
