4 essential components of U-Haul’s workplace wellness efforts

What started as a family-owned business 76 years ago has become a 33,000-employee organization, and now, U-Haul’s family-oriented culture is fostering worker-engagement success fit for the 21^st century.

“U-Haul is a huge company with a small-company atmosphere,” says Jessica Lopez, chief of staff. “Anything we can do to help provide team members and their families with the tools to live their best and healthiest lives is what we aim to do every single day.”

The company, based in Phoenix, was recently recognized with a 2020 Healthiest Employer award from the Phoenix Business Journal.

U-Haul CEO, Joe Shoen wanted to take care of his employees so they could take care of their customers, Lopez says. As a father himself, Shoen understands prioritizing a work/life balance.

When he decided to create a wellness initiative at U-Haul, some foundational tools were already in place, including empathetic leadership and an embrace of employee feedback.  

Covering all employees

U-Haul’s organizational structure means it has small locations nationwide and larger offices in Missouri and Arizona. Employees range from office workers to truck drivers and warehouse employees.