A Consistent Presence: How Occupational Chaplains of America Navigates Hidden Workplace Trauma
By partnering with Spiritual First Aid, Occupational Chaplains of America (OCA) equips its team of chaplains to bring trauma-informed, practical care directly to employees, transforming workplace culture from Minnesota to Texas.
Through consistent, on-site check-ins, Occupational Chaplains of America (OCA) chaplains build safe, neutral relationships with employees free from professional risk.
By Jamie Aten, Ph.D., Kent Annan, M.Div. and Sydni Worley | July 27, 2026 |
2 min read
For many, the workplace is where the majority of waking hours are spent. Yet for decades, a dominant professional standard has been simple: "Leave your problems at home. Leave your problems at the door."
Neal Bennett, founder of Occupational Chaplains of America (OCA), knows firsthand that people simply do not work that way. He notes that employees have to bring their whole selves to work because business owners cannot anticipate what their workers are going through or where they came from.
Founded in 2015, OCA partners with small businesses, typically those with 500 employees or less, to provide a unique, neutral, and entirely voluntary resource for personal care. Bennett notes that “Most businesses are not prepared for a personal crisis in their business.” To ensure their growing team is fully equipped to handle the hidden trauma often carried into the workplace, OCA partners with Spiritual First Aid. By requiring all incoming chaplains to complete the Spiritual First Aid Certificate Course, OCA integrates practical, trauma-informed support directly into the modern workplace.
Breaking Down Corporate Barriers
OCA currently serves businesses stretching from Minnesota down to Texas. Chaplains conduct weekly on-site visits centered around a concept they call "intentional wandering."
Through regular and consistent check-ins, chaplains connect with employees regardless of the current stress levels or natural ebbs and flows within the workplace. Even on days when an employee chooses not to engage in conversation, a simple wave or a smile establishes a steady, predictable presence. Because chaplains operate entirely separate from the corporate hierarchy, serving as a resource that is not the boss, manager, or HR department, they provide a safe, neutral relationship free from professional risk.
Bennett explains that the entire mission is fundamentally built on trust, emphasizing their distinct role outside the company structure. “We're not their family. We're not their parents. We're not their boss. We're not their manager,” he says. “We are a neutral trusted resource.” While the regularly scheduled visits and casual conversations might initially seem small or insignificant, they lay the necessary groundwork. When personal struggles eventually surface, employees know exactly who they can turn to and trust.
From Skeptic to Advocate
Often, the individuals who initially display the most resistance to a chaplain's presence are the ones who ultimately experience the deepest impact. Bennett recalls a company manager who was initially entirely against OCA being in the business. “And he was verbal about it,” Bennett shares. “I would walk past him and [he would say], 'I don't know why you're here.” The manager even vowed never to use their services.
For six years, this difficult dynamic persisted. Throughout that time, Bennett simply maintained a consistent presence, respecting boundaries while remaining accessible. The breakthrough came unexpectedly when the manager sent an urgent text requesting to talk immediately. Upon stepping into the office, Bennett found that the manager had completely broken down as his marriage was falling apart.
Bennett shares that this encounter initiated a year-and-a-half journey of walking alongside the manager and his wife, meeting with them both separately and together. Today, he has completely transformed into the organization's biggest advocate. Whenever a new employee joins the business, this manager actively promotes OCA and the value of chaplaincy more than anyone else in the company.
Integrating Spiritual First Aid
Navigating deep personal struggles, marital crises, and workplace trauma requires structured frameworks. When Bennett discovered Spiritual First Aid, he was immediately drawn to its real-world application. “[It] is proven in the field, and that's where we live—is in the field,” Bennett shares. “And so when we first found it, I was immediately impressed by it.”
The impact of this partnership is woven directly into OCA’s regular operations. Every incoming chaplain is required to complete the Spiritual First Aid certificate course as a core element of their baseline training. “We work a lot with trauma,” Bennett notes, “and that is probably one of the largest things that we face with these employees is hidden trauma in their lives.”
To keep their team equipped, the organization uses monthly Zoom calls to continually rework the course concepts. Bennett notes that this ongoing investment is “a huge benefit and a huge piece of how our chaplains learn to care for people one on one.” This ensures that chaplains can successfully navigate workplace relationships with consistent listening and encouragement.
What’s Next for OCA
As modern work environments continue to evolve, OCA is adapting to meet new logistical demands. The organization is receiving a rising number of requests for virtual care, allowing them to support remote workers and reach individuals in states that are geographically distant from their primary physical locations. While on-site, person-to-person care remains their core focus, learning to navigate and master virtual support serves as an exciting current challenge.
Looking to the future, Bennett is also exploring the creation of original educational materials and resources. Recognizing that he cannot personally partner with every single business across the country, his goal is to equip outside leaders and ministries with the tools needed to effectively care for people on a larger scale.
Ultimately, OCA’s mission remains anchored in a simple, profound dedication to loving and uplifting people exactly where they are. “We walk in believing we're here to love these people and to uplift them,” Bennett reflects. “But when we walk out the door... we're the ones that are being uplifted and encouraged. It's amazing how hurting people going through difficulties can also encourage you at the same time.” By showing up consistently, listening deeply, and utilizing practical frameworks, they ensure workers navigate life's hardest moments without facing them alone.
If you are interested in learning more about OCA’s mission or becoming a chaplain, head to: https://www.ocachaplains.biz/
To learn more about how SFA can equip you or your organization, head to: https://www.spiritualfirstaid.org/
