Corporate Chaplains

Tyson Foods and Vermeer Manufacturing are two companies in a growing group that allocate funds to have a corporate chaplain on call.  As of this date, Tyson Foods has 121 chaplains providing services at 240 locations in the US, Mexico, and Canada.  According to Vermeer's Company Chaplain, he is on contract full-time through their employee assistance program.  He is a United Methodist Pastor and certified as a military and corporate chaplain.

He describes his position as "standing beside people in times of crisis such as accidents and deaths and walking through these times with them to provide support and encouragement.  It is important for me to just listen to them"  His role is not to advocate any particular religion, but to "meet people where they are" and to help them use their own belief system to cope with issues.

"We can't leave our spirituality at the door when we come to work.  It can be a great asset in finding meaning and purpose at work, making ethical and moral decisions, and also coping with the problems we encounter." 

As we know, we are living in unprecedented times and people are under all kinds of stress and pressure.  Providing the services of a corporate chaplain can help employees at all levels.