Sweat equity

In a world where work often takes precedence over well-being, one Winnipeg business owner is overhauling the landscape by investing in the health and happiness of his employees.

Justin Thor’s passion for plumbing extends beyond pipes and faucets to fostering a culture of wellness through the creation of a state-of-the-art gym for his team at Thor Plumbing & Heating.

The journey towards prioritizing employee wellness began with a simple realization: the demanding nature of trade work often takes a toll on the body and mind.

“The majority of us are between the ages of 20 and 35 and we work very physical jobs,” says Thor, who took over the family business in 2021. “Being in the field is physically demanding, so staying in shape is absolutely important.”

In an industry where physical strain comes with the job, Thor wanted to do something to support his team. He’s witnessed first-hand the toll trade work has taken on his employees.

Long hours, heavy lifting and extreme conditions were all par for the course, leading to fatigue, stress and, all too often, injuries.

“Exercise is definitely one of the areas that we like to encourage, because a healthy body relates to a healthy mind,” he says.

In keeping with his company’s recent initiative to prioritize health and wellness, Thor suggested to his team that they turn 1,000 square feet of corporate office space into a gym and sauna that can be used by all employees, regardless of whether they were in the office or in the field.

The gym officially opened last year.

“Our philosophy was that it had to be the best commercial gym equipment. If the team was going to come in and take the time to use it, it should be top grade,” he says.

He and his partner, Christina Thor, who runs the office, set out to provide their team with the tools needed to lead healthier, happier lives.

“In Winnipeg, it’s cold and dark for a lot of the year, making it challenging to stay mentally and physically well. The more we can provide to our team to keep them happy and healthy, the better,” she says.

“We’re taking a long-term view of our business and realize that the better our team’s health and wellness, the better it is for our company.”

Unlike in the United States, where workplace wellness is looked at as a solution to health-insurance costs, Canada approaches the concept from a different perspective.

A 2018 paper by researchers at McGill University evaluated a year-long workplace wellness program, which included health-awareness initiatives and a web-based e-health platform, and asked participants to track their activity for one year.

The results showed that participants who completed a second health assessment after the first year showed significant improvements in systolic blood pressure and reductions in poor sleep quality, high emotional stress and fatigue.

“These improvements in physical and mental-health measurements are very important clinically,” says Dr. Steven Grover, the study’s senior author.

“We were also able to demonstrate a dose-response effect where the employees who participated the most were also the ones who improved the most.”

The objective of workplace wellness is to optimize the energy and focus of every employee every day, says Mary Ann Baynton, director of collaboration and strategy for Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, a free public resource funded by Canada Life.

“If an employer is supporting the financial, physical and mental well-being of their employees, then they are getting the best possible employee effort that they can get. If we’re only focused on what to do when someone is sick, ill or injured, then we’re missing out on the opportunity to both prevent illness and injury, as well as to promote well-being,” she says.

Justin Thor invested about $175,000 in building the gym, including the new equipment and a sauna. Of his 65 employees, about half are using the gym on a regular basis. He was blown away by their motivation, he says.

“We started a workout class last March that begins at 5 a.m. As we started doing it, more and more people came. Everyone does a circuit that Christina puts together; she designs a new one for the team every weekday. And people have started using the gym in the office at lunchtime. And three or four months in, some started using it in the evenings as well,” he says.

Brandon Gray, one of the company’s project managers, moved from the field to the office in 2022. Field workers can gain a lot from utilizing the gym, he says.

“Being in the field is a very physically demanding job. You’re constantly having to use your body and strength is definitely an asset. The workers in the field are lifting and using their bodies in certain ways and using the gym benefits them because they’re able to do their job more efficiently and safely,” he says.

According to a 2023 report published by Environics Research as part of a Canada-wide survey, companies that have successfully implemented well-being initiatives report better job satisfaction, a more positive work environment, increased productivity and better retention.

Baynton agrees, emphasizing the importance of companies engaging with their employees and inquiring about their needs. It’s crucial for us to feel a sense of significance in both who we are and what we do, she says.

This concept stems from the work of Dr. Isaac Prilleltensky, the former dean of the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Miami. Throughout his career, Prilleltensky has explored the concept of “mattering” and its impact on our capacity to lead fulfilling lives.

“In some workplaces, that mattering may be expressed by a gym, and in other workplaces, it may be expressed by team meetings where your input is valued. Whatever it is, it’s going to be unique to the needs of your employees. What allows your employees to feel that they matter to you? Because if they matter to you, you, as an employer, will probably matter to them,” Baynton says.

For Justin Thor, employee wellness extends to mental health as well. Recognizing the prevalence of stress and burnout in the trades, he hopes these initiatives help foster a supportive work environment.

“It’s like any relationship, you have to put in the work and effort to make it good. And if you want to have these relationships form, you need spaces for them. Whether you throw parties outside of work or you create spaces like a gym, these are opportunities for people to have more conversations and make memories. That’s the goal,” he says.

The next phase of company renovations will begin this summer with the construction of a new 5,000-square-foot recreation facility. This space will be open for both staff and their families and include golf simulators, a putting green, pool tables and arcade games.

They intend to organize barbecues and family days there where team members can bring their children, Christina Thor says.

“We’re noticing that things are getting more expensive for people and families aren’t able to participate in certain things. This new rec facility is our response to that,” she says.

“We’re trying to find opportunities to support our team and give them a way to make memories.”

sabrinacarnevale@gmail.com