Lazer Logistics is a logistics company that provides yard spotting, yard shuttle, and trailer services. Rated most highly for The People You Work With, Flexible Work Hours, and Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, Lazer strives to “keep each other safe,” and lives that core value through wellness initiatives and other programming designed to elevate the employee experience. Explore ratings and open roles at Lazer Logistics now.
It’s no surprise that we’ve seen an uptick in wellness benefits over the past few years. The pandemic reminded everyone of the importance of mental, physical, and emotional health, and conversations around stress and burnout have become increasingly prevalent. Our culture is shifting into work-life balance mode, and we’re here for it.
But even as companies are offering more and more therapy stipends and Headspace subscriptions, we rarely encounter an organization going all in on employee health like our partner Lazer Logistics. A Georgia-based logistics and supply chain company, Lazer’s team lives and breathes their core values, one of which is “We keep each other safe.” For them, that means prioritizing wellness through their new campaign, Know Your Numbers, which provides free biometric readings to all U.S. employees, and has kickstarted an all-company wellness resource group to be able to support employees’ health and wellness goals. Employees from all departments are participating, led by Wellness Champions who are passionate about ensuring they and their peers put their bodies and minds first.
This is a big campaign for Lazer, and something so sweeping can be really meaningful to the employee experience and a company’s culture. A company showing that they value wellness so wholeheartedly can be a huge green flag for any job seekers interested in leading a well-rounded life.
We spoke to some of Lazer’s Wellness Champions women about why you, too, should work for a company that puts people’s health first. These are five reasons—beyond healthcare—that a wellness-centered culture is for you.
5 reasons to work for a company that values wellness
1. You’re surrounded by people who care about you
When you work for a company that truly values wellness, you'll find yourself surrounded by people who genuinely care about your wellbeing. Your colleagues might even go beyond the typical professional interactions, taking the time to ask how you're feeling, both mentally and physically.
“Any responsible employer should be committed to setting a great foundation for a better life for its employees,” says Candice Mirasol, vice president of People Operations/Human Resources at Lazer Logistics. “This is Lazer Logistics’ overall purpose, and one of my favorite core values is ‘We keep each other safe.’ This mindset boosts employee morale, belongingness, and safety awareness, which all in turn produce overall create and retain better and happier employees.”
The company's commitment to wellness fosters a sense of community where everyone is invested in each other's health and happiness, making the workplace a truly nurturing and supportive space. “I personally feel like this is a no-judgment zone,” says L&D Assistant Yazmen Reyes. “I am comfortable speaking up about anything, and I know that I will be heard. The support is always there, and I know I can count on my team to stand by my side during the chaos.”
Shivella Schwab feels similarly. As an engagement manager, she’s part of a team at Lazer that is responsible for cultivating programs and initiatives that increase employee satisfaction, engagement, and ultimately retention—including wellbeing initiatives. “Being able to initiate and cultivate a workplace culture is a great privilege, and I feel honored to be included in the discussions and decision-making of the employee experience. As a Black woman in the workplace, it makes me feel as though my voice is heard at Lazer, and I am part of something that will have a lasting positive impact for everyone who is exposed to our people and our culture.”
2. You’ll feel more connected
Working for a company that places a strong emphasis on wellness can significantly enhance your sense of connection both with your peers and your job. You'll find that your colleagues share a common commitment to wellbeing, which creates a unique bond and camaraderie among the team.
“One of the reasons I love my position so much is because I get to focus on what our company gives to our employees, rather than just what the business needs from the employees,” says Amanda Harris, director of compensation and total rewards. “When we value our employees as unique individuals with varying physical, mental, and emotional needs, we make ourselves a place where strength and community can thrive. Everyone needs support, and if we can get it from our work lives, then we can bring it more into our own lives.”
Zaria Collier, a senior area manager who oversees multiple facilities, fleet, and customer needs for Lazer Logistics, says companies that value wellness signal to employees that they matter. “It helps build better relationships with our teams by promoting a healthy environment all the way around. It helps build a better community among our peers. If we are giving associates access to better help themselves and their families, they’re healthier overall. Healthier employees promote better morale and build better bonds among teams. Elevated associates ensure we have elevated performance.” Fellow Wellness Champions Rita Atwood, Krashina McMillan, and Ayshia Editone echoed this sentiment.
3. You’ll do better work
Speaking of performance, in a company that values wellbeing, you will see improved focus and productivity, although that’s not the central goal. Healthy people are.
“Just as an employee signs a contract with an employer, I believe employers also have a responsibility to their people,” Schwab says. “People who feel well, and are well, also perform well. Having a wellness initiative benefits the whole of the company and every individual who is part of the organization. Both the employees and employers will have a more fulfilling experience when wellness is prioritized.”
Katherine Pieper, the director of culture and engagement, says valuing wellbeing contributes to a “more productive, positive, and sustainable work environment”—but that it’s not everything. “‘Keeping people safe’ is one of our company values, which includes their physical and mental wellbeing. By providing wellness tools, resources, and community engagement opportunities, we’re able to fully live out this value” she says.
That’s why the company is focused on building a values-led culture. “Lazer Logistics is committed to helping our people build a great life so that mission is tied into all the work we do or initiative we plan,” Pieper says. “Lazer has grown and changed a lot over the last few years, so my pillar has introduced new tools and strategies to support the cultivation of a values-led culture as we continue to grow. While change can be difficult, most of the people here are receptive. People want to be a part of a company they’re proud of and they want the work they do to bring value, so they’re willing to collaborate, engage, try new things, and try doing things differently. Company culture is always a group effort”.
As that culture grows and develops, in the meantime, employees say they already feel the effects of a wellness-oriented environment. “It shows that they care about us as humans!” Reyes says. “We are not robots; we need to be able to keep up with our health in order for us to perform efficiently at work.”
4. You’ll feel validated to take the time you need
Working for a company that prioritizes wellness can be particularly empowering for women, as it ensures that you feel validated when taking time off—something you might not have experienced before and you might need more of depending on what responsibilities you have. In that way, Lazer’s Know Your Numbers campaign has broader impacts than physical health.
“Women tend to have a lot on our plates, and we play critical roles with the combination of the work we do and the relationships we’re invested in,” Pieper says. “Knowing our health numbers enables us to be confident in the longevity of roles or take steps to create change in areas that threaten that longevity.”
In a world that doesn’t always listen to women, being surrounded by people who think your health matters can also be the nudge you need to take your health seriously. “As women, we are taught to tough things out and that we ‘overexaggerate’ issues that we have,” Collier says. “There has also been a history of being ignored by medical professionals who choose to see women as the weaker sex and tell us our issues are just in our head.”
Rewriting that narrative is crucial, and once it’s begun, Schwab says that focusing on wellness can help women navigate other aspects of sexism, systemic disadvantages, and other kinds of gender adversity. “Women traditionally have not had the same opportunities or advantages in the workforce, or in society, and that ultimately has an impact that can negatively affect our health and wellness,” she says. “Knowing our numbers is a first step in taking charge and advocating for our own health and wellness needs. It gives us a perspective on how our own lifestyle, environment, and choices impacts our health.”
Harris adds: “Knowing what is happening with your body is so important. It’s so easy for us as women to spend much of our time taking care of everything external. Our jobs, our families, our friends, our other commitments. Taking the time to prioritize our own health is essential!”
5. You can look forward to retirement
Your wellness is an investment in your future. Prioritizing health and wellness while you're working is a strategic way to ensure you have a better retirement. By taking proactive steps to maintain your physical and mental wellbeing throughout your career you set the stage for a more active and fulfilling retirement.
“As we get older, our bodies change,” Reyes says. “We need to make sure that we are keeping up with our health so we can avoid any future health issues.”
And we need the resources and encouragement to get the information we need. “‘Knowing is half the battle,’ is the famous line from back in the ‘80s,” Mirasol says. “I’ve used this line so many times I believe this to be true especially when it relates to health and wellness. Taking a proactive and preventive approach allows us to plan, prepare, and take action toward a better future.”
The company you work for can and should help you make that investment in yourself. Such an organization recognizes that your wellbeing extends beyond the confines of your workplace and that your physical and mental health play a pivotal role in shaping the quality of life you envision. By fostering a culture of wellness, they are not only ensuring that you thrive in the present but are also taking an active role in securing a brighter, healthier, and more prosperous future for each and every one of their employees.
