While many families and students use the spring break and Easter holiday as a week away from school and daily chores, an increasing number of companies are finding there is no break from the workplace stresses common in today’s corporate environment. Consequently, they are seeking new ways to combat the issues, one of which is the use of Marketplace Chaplains.

Marketplace Chaplains, America’s largest and original workplace chaplaincy organization, reported 2014 as the most successful year ever, with a gain of 116 new client companies in one year. Now, in its 31st year of serving employees, Marketplace currently has over 2,900 chaplain caregivers serving in over 660 worksite locations in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, helping 161,320 employees and 448,470 of their family members.

The issues of workplace stress has been discussed and documented for years in various studies, and recently UNIFOR, the Union|Canada, scheduled a five-day seminar titled, “Stress: The Workplace Hazard.”1 According to unifor.org, the seminar was designed to help leadership gain awareness, recognize the physical and psychological hazards of workplace stress, and offer new ways in which to identify and prevent stress in the workplace rather than simply providing coping mechanisms.

“Having a chaplain is really like having a friend in the building,” added Tom Schoenstedt, Station Manager of client company Bethesda Broadcasting Network, a trio of Christian radio stations in the greater Colorado and South Dakotas area. “It’s a chance to take a deep breath and talk through something that’s on your mind and in your heart.”

Marketplace Chaplains offers a variety of services with an on-site regular visitation program, and 24-7 crisis response which can include hospital and jail visits, funerals, confidential discussions about grief, workplace and families issues, among others.

Another relatively new Marketplace client company, Prudential Kahler Realtors in Rapid City, South Dakota, studied and researched the benefits of workplace chaplains before deciding Marketplace Chaplains was the right fit for their busy real estate company. They are located in the tourist heavy and rapidly growing Mount Rushmore region. “This is a very interesting concept for us, because it shows actions truly speak louder than words in helping others. We say we care for people, but our chaplains put our words into action,” said Owner David Kahler. “Maybe not every employee would allow me, as the boss, to get close to them to learn their real needs; however, our chaplains are able to get close, and to offer help.”

“They’ve been an incredibly welcome addition within our Human Resources efforts,” added Holt Vaughn, CEO of Eastco Multi-Media in Orchard Park, New York, outside of Buffalo. “As they work with us, they save the company money by being a continual resource and listening ear to employees. This pro-active approach can pre-empt personnel issues that may arise. They’ve impressed us by going above and beyond in their level of care in so many ways,” continued Vaughn.

Doctors have said workplace depression symptoms may include: sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, restlessness, along with fatigue, difficulty concentrating and making decisions, trouble sleeping or oversleeping, changes in appetite, and many sufferers may lose interest in activities they used to enjoy. It is a treatable medical condition, and some forms of depression may be cured with sunlight and exercise, and others with visits from caring chaplains.

In the Upscale Magazine, March 16th issue, contributor Patrice C. Washington listed three ways to nip workplace stress in the bud including No. 3, ‘Stay Focused on Solutions,’2 and that’s just what Marketplace’s innovative business leaders have done.

“CEOs, presidents and the like, know that even during spring break and family holidays, stress never leaves the workplace. Having trained, caring, confidential Marketplace Chaplains is one of the best ways they can offer tangible solutions to help their employees deal with life stressors, and a way in which to help promote full productivity in the workplace,” said Marketplace Founder Gil A. Stricklin.

For more information on this unique employee benefit which has been featured with Marketplace Chaplains on CNN, NBC Nightly News, and in the Washington Post, the New York Times and Bloomberg BusinessWeek, visit http://www.mchapusa.com

.

About Marketplace Chaplains

To arrange an interview with a Marketplace Chaplain contact Art Stricklin, Vice President Public Relations, at artstricklin@mchapusa.com or call 1-800-775-7657.

References:
1 http://www.unifor.org/en/member-services/education/stress-workplace-hazard
2 http://upscalemagazine.com/3-steps-to-nip-workplace-stress-in-the-bud