Shawmut Named #1 Best Place to Work in Rhode Island by Providence Business News for Second Consecutive Year

For the second consecutive year, Shawmut’s Providence office was named the Best Place to Work in Rhode Island by Providence Business News, ranking number one again in 2024 and marking the fourteenth year the firm has been recognized in Rhode Island. Read more about why the Providence office was selected below and on Providence Business News here.

Safety is a core value that’s entwined in Shawmut Design and Construction’s culture.

Since 2016, the Providence-based national construction management company has championed total worker health within its safety program, focusing on the safety of the entire person, including mental and physical health on and off the jobsite. Chris Maury, Shawmut’s Rhode Island senior director, says this program laid the groundwork for a new, enhanced focus on mental health and well-being that extends beyond Shawmut and into the local community.

Last year, the company launched its mental health and wellness leadership group, which includes 50 members across the company who are dedicated to tackling the mental health crisis in the construction industry. Jobsites hold monthly discussions with trade partners about psychological safety and mental health to raise awareness around topics such as empathy, substance use disorders and suicide awareness.

Shawmut also provides certified mental health first aid and substance use disorder training, including Narcan administration on all sites and an online suicide awareness course for all employees. Maury also says the company launched discussion periods with staffers called Culture of Care Toolbox Talks that address mental health, well-being and safety monthly across jobsites.

Additionally, the company offers comprehensive mental health benefits, with services such as the confidential, free employee assistance program accessible 24/7.

“Embedding holistic health and innovative safety practices has made a positive impact, resulting in healthier employees and a nearly 50% decrease in lost-work incidents since 2019,” Shawmut Chief Safety Officer Shaun Carvalho said.

Shawmut is also piloting and implementing new technology to keep its safety program among the best by integrating artificial intelligence to help prevent incidents based on historical data.

Its safety initiatives garner national attention. Shawmut CEO Les Hiscoe was named one of the 2023 CEOs Who “Get It” from the National Safety Council, which annually recognizes safety leaders who go above and beyond to protect employees on the job and outside of work. The Construction Industry Alliance honored Shawmut with a 2023 Mental Health Visionary Award.

Along with safety, Shawmut’s other core values include excellence, ownership and people. Maury describes Shawmut’s staff as having dedication, excellence and ownership.

“They guide everything we do,” Maury said. “As a 100% employee-owned company, we foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among our team members, empowering them to be proactive problem-solvers and forward-thinkers.”

Shawmut’s culture of ownership goes hand in hand with creating an inclusive workplace, where every person feels a sense of belonging and can contribute their unique talents and perspectives, Maury says. He also notes that diversity drives innovation and creativity.

Shawmut’s long-established diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives extend both within and beyond its organization. The company declared DEI a business imperative in 2014. To date, Shawmut has launched numerous programs designed to create opportunities and equity for underrepresented groups, including a focal point review cycle, sponsorship relationships, a mentorship program, and an inclusion learning and awareness program.

“We’re proud of our progress on DEI. We now have 33% women – compared to the 10% industry average – and 22% people of color – compared to the 12% industry average – across our workforce,” Maury said.

Shawmut’s philosophy of “caring more” extends beyond employees. Shawmut understands the importance of building up its communities and supports local organizations throughout Rhode Island.

“This passion drives us to contribute to initiatives that advance medicine, offer aid to those in need, empower student leaders and mentor talent in the [architectural, engineering and construction] industry,” Maury said.

The company has partnerships with local organizations such as Day One, Providence Promise, ACE Mentor Program and Amos House. Shawmut, Maury says, is committed to making a positive impact to the local communities beyond its construction projects.