Author: Gabriella Mayhew, Consulting Solutions Benefits Coordinator
 

Early 2020 brought a sudden shift to what was initially thought to be a short-term remote work climate. Fast forward to 2025, and our company has embraced a fully remote work schedule, providing office space only for those who prefer a hybrid setup. While this shift brought many logistical challenges, which we navigated with optimism, the real evolution came in how we care for our people’s mental wellbeing. Supporting employee mental health now extends beyond benefits packages – it’s about the culture we are intentionally creating.

The Remote Reality: Emerging Mental Health Challenges
While many have found increased productivity and job satisfaction through the flexibility and autonomy of remote work, this new environment also presents unique challenges. Employees face isolation, a higher risk of burnout, and blurred lines between work and personal life. External distractions from home dynamics and ongoing digital fatigue add to the mental strain remote work can bring.

Evolving Our Approach: Building a Culture of Wellbeing
To meet the demands of this new virtual climate, we knew a change was needed in how we actively support our employees’ wellbeing. Without regular in-person networking events, happy hours, or group outings, we had to reinvent how we foster company culture. Over the past two years, our HR and Benefits team has introduced creative and intentional initiatives to support holistic wellness. Here are a few highlights:

Monthly Wellness Program
Each month, we offer programming our employees look forward to. We focus on holistic themes that address mental, physical, emotional, and financial health. Participation is rewarded with incentive prizes, just for showing up.

Virtual Challenges and Engagements
All of our wellness activities are offered virtually, ensuring accessibility for everyone. We host live webinars with expert speakers and organize creative challenges like our Step Challenge, Sleep Program, Digital Detox Nature Scavenger Hunt, Finance-Focused Virtual Escape Room, and Collaborative Cookbook. These initiatives provide practical education and encourage employees to develop sustainable healthy habits.

Increased HR Presence in Operational Team Meetings
Our HR team regularly joins team calls to share wellness updates and remind employees of resources like our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This consistent presence reinforces wellness as a cultural pillar and builds stronger communication between HR and employees.

Employee Feedback Loops
We gather feedback through regular surveys on our benefits and wellness initiatives. Employees have the opportunity to speak openly and anonymously, helping us continuously evolve our offerings based on their needs.

Our daily priority is recognizing that wellbeing is not a perk but instead a core part of who we are. We are committed to meeting employees where they are, even if that’s on a video call from their living room.

Looking Ahead: Sustaining Mental Wellness in a Remote World
We’ve laid the groundwork for embedding wellness into our company fabric, but the work is far from over. To ensure wellness remains a strong cultural pillar, our vision for the future includes:

Training for Managers
We aim to empower our managers to lead by example. Providing additional training to help recognize and discuss mental health issues will bridge the potential gaps created by isolation and burnout.

Modeling from the Top
Leadership participation in wellness programs emphasizes the importance of prioritizing physical and mental health. When leaders create space for balance and connection, it sets the tone for the entire organization.

Peer-to-Peer Support Opportunities
One of the greatest cultural challenges in a remote environment is human connection. Implementing things like virtual buddy programs, wellness champions, and employee resource groups (ERGs) such as Women’s Leadership ERG, Young Professionals ERG, Mental Health & Wellbeing ERG, and Sustainability & Impact ERG, can meaningful opportunities for employees to feel a sense of belonging.

Normalizing Mental Health Conversations
We strive to reduce stigma by fostering open, judgment-free conversations about mental health. Remote employees shouldn’t feel pressured to mask their personal challenges. A supportive culture allows employees to speak honestly with their managers and access resources when needed.

If we want a mentally well workforce, we must create a workplace where mental health is supported, modeled, and respected at every level. While we’ve made meaningful progress with our wellness programs and open communication, our work continues. Sustaining a culture of connection and compassion is critical. Our success as employers depends on how well we care for our people, and that care must be unwavering.

Consulting Solutions Earns A Top Spot On 2025 Healthiest Companies List

This is the second consecutive year Consulting Solutions has received the First Coast Worksite Wellness Council award, this time receiving its highest designation—Platinum Level

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — April 8, 2025 — Consulting Solutions, a nationally recognized leader in technology workforce and consulting services, announced today that it has received a 2025 Healthiest Companies Award at the Platinum Level from the First Coast Worksite Wellness Council (FCWWC).

This FCWWC award recognizes organizations that have best-in-class wellness programs and have cultivated a culture of health and well-being throughout their organization. Platinum Level winners have demonstrated full leadership support and invested in the necessary resources to design, implement, and measure programs that show improvement in the health and well-being of their employees.

In 2024, Consulting Solutions received the FCWWC award at the Gold Level.

“Earning a Platinum Level recognition as a 2025 Healthiest Company from the First Coast Worksite Wellness Council is a tremendous honor and testament to our continued investment in the well-being of our consultants and teams,” said Consulting Solutions Chief Revenue Officer Brian Schonacher. “Being recognized for the second consecutive year—now at the highest level—underscores our belief that supporting a healthy, balanced workforce is essential not only to individual success but also to delivering exceptional results for our clients.”

An initiative of Healthy Jacksonville, FCWWC’s mission is to improve the health of the First Coast community by sharing resources and providing guidance through its member businesses. For more information about the organization, visit https://fcwwc.wildapricot.org.

About Consulting Solutions 

Consulting Solutions (www.consultingsolutions.com) is a nationally recognized leader in technology solutions and services. Consulting Solutions’ key practice areas include Advanced Analytics and Data Science, Agile + Product + Design, Application Development, Cloud & Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Delivery Leadership, Energy, and ERP (SAP & Oracle). Our scalable engagement models—from individual technology consultants to strategic enterprise programs—enable clients to tap into world-class talent, expertise, and services to drive technology and enterprise transformation initiatives. Consulting Solutions was recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies, SIA Largest Staffing Firms in the U.S., NABR Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation, Financial Times list of the Americas’ Fastest-Growing Companies, and First Coast Worksite Wellness Council’s Platinum Level Healthiest Companies.

Amit Patel, Senior Vice President at Consulting Solutions, explores the human side of cybersecurity in his latest article for ISACA, “Humans Are IT Security’s Weakest Link.”

The article highlights how accidental errors, insider threats, and insufficient training can compromise even the strongest cybersecurity measures. Amit offers actionable strategies, including ongoing education, clear policies, and advanced tools like multifactor authentication and AI-driven threat detection, to help organizations address these vulnerabilities.

Discover how to turn the human element from a weakness into a strength by reading the full article here.

Cybersecurity is no longer optional – it’s a necessity.

In his latest article featured in Techstrong ITSM, Consulting Solutions SVP Amit Patel emphasizes the urgent need for ITSM organizations to prioritize advanced security measures.

With cyber threats like ransomware and phishing on the rise, Amit outlines the critical steps organizations must take to protect their data and systems while spotlighting the powerful role of AI in the fight against cybercrime.

A must-read for anyone serious about staying ahead of today’s security risks.

Read the full article here.

Team members from Empyrean and TEK Connexion had the privilege of volunteering at Family House in Pittsburgh. By preparing and serving a warm and delicious meal for those staying at the house, our team was able to support the Family House mission of creating a comfortable and affordable “home away from home” for those traveling to Pittsburgh for medical care.

We dedicate this volunteer opportunity in the memory of our recent team member, Faith Carl.

Thank you to all our volunteers for making a meaningful impact!

With a three-year revenue growth of 82 percent, Consulting Solutions earns placement on the distinguished list of America’s fastest-growing private companies

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — August 14, 2024 — Consulting Solutions, a nationally recognized leader in technology workforce and consulting services, announced today that it has earned a spot on the annual Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. The company made this year’s prestigious ranking with a three-year revenue growth of 82 percent.

The recognition is one of many for Consulting Solutions, which most recently was also named as one of the 2024 Largest Staffing Firms in the United States by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) as well as one of the 2024 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For^® in the Nation by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR).

“To be recognized on this year’s Inc. 5000 is an honor and testament to the dedication and innovation of our entire team,” said Michael Werblun, CEO of Consulting Solutions. “Being listed among America’s fastest-growing private companies underscores our commitment to providing exceptional IT workforce and consulting services. We’re incredibly proud of this achievement and remain focused on delivering outstanding value and service to our clients.”

This is the second time that Consulting Solutions has been ranked on the Inc. 5000 since 2020.

The Inc. 5000 class of 2024 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate is 1,637 percent. In all, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 874,458 jobs to the economy over the past three years.

For complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, location, and other criteria, go to www.inc.com/inc5000. All 5000 companies are featured on Inc.com starting Tuesday, August 13, and the top 500 appear in the new issue of Inc. magazine, available on newsstands beginning Tuesday, August 20.

“One of the greatest joys of my job is going through the Inc. 5000 list,” said Mike Hofman, who recently joined Inc. as editor-in-chief. “To see all of the intriguing and surprising ways that companies are transforming sectors, from health care and AI to apparel and pet food, is fascinating for me as a journalist and storyteller. Congratulations to this year’s honorees, as well, for growing their businesses fast despite the economic disruption we all faced over the past three years, from supply chain woes to inflation to changes in the workforce.”

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

Companies on the 2024 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2020. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2023. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2020 is $100,000; the minimum for 2023 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to four decimal places.

About Inc. 

Inc. Business Media is the leading multimedia brand for entrepreneurs. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.’s award-winning work achieves a monthly brand footprint of more than 40 million across a variety of channels, including events, print, digital, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since its launch as the Inc. 100 in 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, to be held from October 16 to 18 in Palm Desert, California, please visit http://conference.inc.com/.

About Consulting Solutions 

Consulting Solutions (www.consultingsolutions.com) is a nationally recognized leader in technology solutions and services. Consulting Solutions’ key practice areas include Advanced Analytics and Data Science, Agile + Product + Design, Application Development, Cloud & Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Delivery Leadership, Energy, and ERP (SAP & Oracle). Our scalable engagement models—from individual technology consultants to strategic enterprise programs—enable clients to tap into world-class talent, expertise, and services to drive technology and enterprise transformation initiatives. Consulting Solutions was recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies, SIA Largest Staffing Firms in the U.S., NABR Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation, Financial Times list of the Americas’ Fastest-Growing Companies, and First Coast Worksite Wellness Council’s Gold Level Healthiest Companies.

Check out Consulting Solutions SVP Amit Patel’s latest article, “To Ensure Your Company’s Future, The AI Revolution Must Begin Now,” where he explores how AI is transforming business worldwide.  

AI is reshaping the future of work. Don’t miss these essential insights on staying ahead! 

Read the full article here!

Consulting Solutions SVP Amit Patel is featured in TechRepublic Premium’s latest article on AI and cybersecurity! Learn how AI is transforming threat detection and proactive threat hunting from industry experts. 

Boost your cybersecurity knowledge today and access the article here.  

Looking to boost your data security? Check out Consulting Solutions SVP Amit Patel’s latest insights in IT Brew! Amit shares essential strategies for protecting your communications platforms, including smart retention policies and real-time alerts. A must-read for anyone serious about safeguarding sensitive information! Click here to read the article!