Who has stress? Who thinks they can manage stress on their own? These are the questions that prompted Ferris to look into better options for their employees and families.

The average American worker will spend a third of their life at work so it’s no surprise that work-life can bleed into home-life and vice-versa. With mental health becoming the No. 1 public health concern, companies have begun to seek out better ways to support their employees beyond the paycheck. When it comes to happiness in the workplace, recent studies have highlighted the most pressing issues and how to overcome them as an employer.

For the past two years, Mental Health America (MHA) conducted a study and the results were obviously. “We know that employees who are over-stressed and under-supported can significantly impact the people around them and a company’s success,”said Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO of MHA. In one year alone, depression and anxiety cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion in lost productivity. What was most shocking to learn was that our industries of manufacturing, retail, and food and beverage were some of the unhealthiest.

In an effort to combat these growing trends within our very own industries, Ferris Coffee & Nut has decided to invest back into our employee’s mental health by implementing an Employee Assistance Program (EAC) at no extra cost to the employee. With support from certified professionals, EAC improves productivity by addressing the issues that impair employee’s abilities to successfully perform their jobs. So why now? “Although EAC has been in operation since 1979, we’ve only just recently learned of their services. After meeting with their team, we immediately knew that signing on with EAC was the right thing to do,” explains David VanTongeren, VP of Talent and Resource Development. 

Concerns about finances, family, substance abuse, stress, or other personal problems have no way of checking themselves at the door and Ferris recognizes that. “Quite simply, we want our employees to be their best selves at work and at home. In order to really succeed in their roles at Ferris, our team needs to enjoy a healthy integration of their personal and professional lives—it’s unrealistic and unfair to expect anything else,” VanTongeren rationalized.

Ferris Coffee & Nut has been family-owned since its founding in 1924. Recognizing that work is more than just transactions, overhead, and bottom-lines, Ferris hopes to bridge the gap between business and family values. This is why the program is extended to employee's household members as well. VanTongeren hopes that “by starting this program, we’re providing our team with the resources to manage their own unique challenges and live a more fulfilling, engaged life.”

Now that’s just good business.