Healthiest Employers of Rhode Island Awards 2020 | 1,500-5,000+ EMPLOYEES
3. Gilbane Inc. | Michael McKelvy, CEO and president | Number of employees: 2,970
FOR RHODE ISLAND-BASED construction and development company Gilbane Inc., a healthy workforce extends from the office to the job site.
Wesley Cotter, Gilbane’s director of corporate communications, said the company strongly encourages all employees to have regular physicals and know their numbers. Gilbane also pays for half of any fitness equipment being used, such as treadmills, trackers (such as Fitbits) or bikes. Employees also can take part in fitness challenges, and earn points for discounts on their medical premiums.
‘We all have stressful jobs, but we’re working hard to provide the resources necessary to manage that stress and help our entire team be healthy and happy at work and at home.’
Wesley Cotter, Gilbane Inc. director of corporate communications
On construction sites, occupational safety is paramount, Cotter said. Workers wear modern safety helmets, which offer more protection than the traditional hard hat, cut-resistant gloves and steel-toed shoes.
Cotter said Gilbane is doing its best to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic. “On a lot of sites, it’s very practical to look across the footprint of a building and see ways to maintain separation,” he said. “The electricians in one place, the carpenters in another.”
Everyone must wear a mask, Cotter said. “If they don’t want to wear a mask, they don’t come back the next day.”
