Provided by Lance Couch, CFO
At T.W. Frierson, our purpose is simple yet powerful, to create a foundation for people to thrive.
Every structure we build and every project we deliver begins and ends with people: the men and women who bring our work to life, the clients who trust us, and the communities who benefit from what we build. A key part of our 2035 Vivid Vision is to demonstrate a remarkable passion for people, and over the past year, we’ve taken intentional steps to make that vision tangible for our employee owners.
These new and enhanced benefits were designed with one goal in mind, to support the well-being, stability, and experience of those who make T.W. Frierson what it is.
1. Caring for Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Construction is demanding… physically, mentally, and emotionally. To make sure our teams have access to meaningful support, we introduced a chaplain service that regularly visits our projects and offices while also remaining available via mobile device.
This confidential service provides encouragement, a listening ear, and a reminder that no one has to face challenges alone. In an industry where mental health struggles are common, we want every person connected to our job sites to know that help is close at hand, and that we care deeply about their well-being.
2. Supporting Craft Personnel During Weather Delays
Safety comes first, even when the skies don’t cooperate. To help provide stability during weather-related delays, we established an Inclement Weather Bank that allocates paid hours to craft personnel impacted by weather interruptions.
Each employee receives 60 hours per year (prorated for new hires), with site superintendents empowered to apply the time based on job-specific conditions. While this kind of benefit isn’t standard across the construction industry, we believe it should be, because supporting the people who depend on consistent work is one of the clearest ways we can live our purpose.
3. Doubling Paid Vacation for Hourly Field Team Members
Rest is productive. To ensure every employee has the opportunity to recharge, we’ve doubled the number of paid vacation days available for our hourly field team members. More time with family, more time to recover, and more time to live fully, that’s what thriving looks like.
4. Elevating the Worker Experience
We also launched a Worker Experience initiative focused on improving everyday site conditions. It’s the simple, practical details that often make the biggest difference. Stabilized parking areas and walkways to minimize mud, covered areas to eat lunch, and thoughtful spaces that promote comfort and connection.
These improvements may seem small, but they send a powerful message: we care about the experience of every person who shows up to build with pride.
Why It Matters
These initiatives reflect what makes T.W. Frierson different. When we take care of our people, everything else follows:
- Our employee-owners feel valued, supported, and empowered.
- Our clients receive the best work from teams who take pride in what they do.
- Our industry becomes stronger, healthier, and more inviting for the next generation of builders.
We’re proud to live out our mission of creating a foundation for people to thrive in ways that are real, meaningful, and lasting. Because when people thrive, everything we build stands stronger.
How are you helping make construction more people-focused? We’d love to hear how others across our industry are taking care of the people who make this work possible.
