Featured Service: Chaplaincy & Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

At Brubacher, team member benefits go beyond traditional offerings like healthcare and retirement plans. While those are vital, and we provide our team with comprehensive options in those categories, the company believes genuine care extends much deeper to support the whole person in every aspect of life, both on and off the jobsite. That’s why Brubacher offers broader workplace wellness programs, which feature two key services that embody this care: a newly enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through a partnership with Personal Assistance Services (PAS) and workplace chaplaincy services provided by our own Chaplain Larry W.

It’s no secret that for many in the construction industry, long hours, physically demanding work, and the added complexity of life’s challenges can take a toll. Having confidential team member support readily available can make a significant difference—whether it’s mental health support, stress management, or simply knowing that someone is there to listen. What is sometimes less obvious are the details of available support resources, and that’s why we want to take this opportunity to feature our service offerings in these areas to build awareness among our community.

Chaplaincy at Brubacher: A Unique Approach to Team Member Support

Brubacher has long been committed to fostering a workplace culture where people feel valued—not just for what they do, but for who they are. This commitment inspired company leadership to explore chaplaincy services, ultimately welcoming Chaplain Larry to the team a few years ago.

Regarding his decision to step into a chaplaincy role, Larry shared, “When President Keith Brubacher first approached me about the idea of offering workplace chaplaincy services, I was shifting into retirement from actively serving a church congregation, and it was nothing I had ever considered. After some conversations, I realized it was exactly the right fit, and now I can’t imagine doing anything else! I feel like I’ve gained hundreds of new friends between Brubacher and my other chaplaincy work, and I’m honored to support these individuals with whatever needs they may have.”

Larry, who spent 28 years as a pastor before stepping into his role at Brubacher, now focuses on building relationships, offering encouragement, and providing a listening ear to team members whether they need someone to talk to about family struggles, financial stress, or even grief and crisis counseling. He also points out that while his background is in traditional pastoral work, workplace chaplaincy services are designed to serve all people regardless of their faith background. In fact, chaplaincy is built on meeting people where they are—often quite literally.

“A big part of my job is just being present,” Larry explained. “I spend a lot of time in the lunchroom because that’s where people naturally gather. I grab a coffee, share a meal, and just start conversations. Over time, people realize I’m here to listen, not to push anything on them. That’s when the real trust starts to build.”

Brubacher team members also have the option to meet with Larry privately in his office for confidential team member support on any topic that may be on their hearts and minds. As warmer weather arrives, he looks forward to spending even more time on jobsites to be present for the crews in the field, which he shares is one of his favorite aspects of the job. Another favorite? Meeting new hires during onboarding and welcoming them to the Brubacher team.

“When I introduce myself to a new team member, I let them know that my door is always open, no matter what they need. Some have worked in places where chaplains were available, so they understand my role right away. Others have never encountered this type of support before, so it takes some time. But eventually, they realize I’m here for them,” Larry shared.

The PAS Employee Assistance Program: A Vital Partner in Team Well-Being

While Chaplain Larry provides emotional and spiritual support, he also helps team members connect with professional counseling and other services through Brubacher’s recently upgraded EAP when needed.

The PAS EAP offers a wide range of resources to help team members and their dependents navigate life’s challenges—including mental health support, stress management, and help with most life event needs. One of the biggest advantages of PAS is that there are no pre-determined session limits. The number of sessions needed is dependent on the need and what it takes to reach the solution. Team members and their families can access support for as long as they need, 100% free of charge. Moreover, services are available not just to those employed by Brubacher but to any family member living under their roof (which is the program’s definition of “dependents”), ensuring that spouses, children, or household family members also have access to potentially life-changing resources.

Carolyn W., Brubacher’s Director of Human Resources, emphasized how vital these services have become and underscored the fact that Brubacher made an intentional partnership change in 2024 to provide a more well-rounded EAP resource for team members.

“Employee assistance programs tend to be underutilized in our industry and across industries despite employers making them available—people either don’t know about them or are not sure how to access them,” Carolyn explained. “For instance, we know that our previous program was used only once or twice per year. Since partnering with PAS, we’ve seen a meaningful increase in engagement. The level of support they offer is much more robust than we had before, and team members are finding real value in the resources available to them, all at no cost.” Carolyn also stressed that with the EAP, confidentiality is a central component. No personal details are ever shared between the program and an employer like Brubacher. Only usage trends come back to the team to ensure the program continues to meet everyone’s needs.

With that confidentiality in place, there is also a level of partnership between Chaplain Larry and PAS that ensures team members realize they have easy access to the right kind of help at the right time. Larry noted, “If I’m talking to someone and it’s clear they need professional counseling or another type of advice that is out of my wheelhouse, I can confidently point them to PAS.” And the referral process works both ways, Carolyn added. PAS is aware of Brubacher’s workplace chaplaincy services, and they can suggest that team members connect with Chaplain Larry for in-person support during the workday.

This holistic approach ensures that every team member has access to both immediate encouragement and long-term solutions for their well-being, strengthening Brubacher’s commitment to caring deeply for our team. Whether it’s providing workplace chaplaincy services, connecting team members with mental health support, or ensuring access to professional resources through the EAP, the goal is simple: to support our team in work, in life, and everywhere in between.

A Culture of Care That Sets Brubacher Apart

At its core, Brubacher’s investment in team benefits and well-being programs is about more than just offering resources. It’s about creating a workplace culture where people know they are valued. Chaplain Larry captures this spirit with these words about living this value of caring: “I hope that when someone interacts with me, they walk away knowing that they’re not alone. I care about them—not just as members of the Brubacher team, but as people. And if I can do anything to help, I will.”

Are you curious to learn more about being part of a team that supports you, both professionally and personally? If you’re looking for a career in excavation, paving, or sitework contracting where your well-being matters, we invite you to explore opportunities with Brubacher. Visit our careers page to see our open positions today.