The Human Safety Net, with Daniel & Renee Mercado and David Giannetto
Sun Nov 23 2025
In this powerful episode of The Fix, we dive deep into the human side of business. Host Derek Maines is joined by David Giannetto of Felix Construction and Daniel & Renee Mercado of Resource Employee Care to discuss a critical but often overlooked aspect of leadership: proactive employee care.
Discover how providing on-site, confidential support for personal crises—from marital issues and financial stress to suicide prevention—is not just "fluffy people stuff," but a crucial risk management and retention strategy. Learn why the standard 1-800 EAP number often fails and how having a trusted, familiar face on the job site can save lives, improve safety, and transform your company culture.
In this episode, you'll learn:
-Why personal crises are a business problem that directly impact safety and productivity.
-The sobering statistic: with 400 employees, you likely have 20 people in crisis on any given morning.
-Real-world stories of intervention, including marital restoration and responding to a workplace suicide.
-How confidential, on-site care serves as an extension of leadership, building trust and a caring culture.
-The tangible ROI of employee care in dangerous industries like construction, where a distracted worker can be a fatal risk.
-Practical steps for implementing a care program that goes beyond a benefits pamphlet.
If you are a leader, HR professional, or business owner in construction, manufacturing, or any high-stakes industry, this conversation is a wake-up call to the power of human-centric leadership.
Mentioned in this episode:
Resource Employee Care: RECArizona.com
Connect with Us:
Subscribe to The Fix for more conversations on building better businesses.
Have you implemented a similar program? Share your story in the comments below!
Chapters:
0:00 - Introducing a New Model for Employee Care
1:20 - Daniel's Inspiration: Serving People in Construction
3:25 - How On-Site "Rounds" Build Trust
5:10 - Being an Extension of Leadership's Care
8:59 - Scaling Culture from 20 to 400 Employees
10:22 - The Failure of the 1-800 Number
13:42 - Powerful Testimonials: Saving Marriages & Lives
19:13 - The Business Case for Proactive Care
24:56 - Confidentiality and Integration into Leadership
27:04 - The Final Word: Supporting Your Calling
Keywords:
Employee Care, Mental Health in Construction, Employee Retention, Company Culture, Leadership, HR Strategy, Risk Management, Workplace Safety, Suicide Prevention, Crisis Counseling, Proactive Support, David Giannetto, Daniel Mercado, Renee Mercado, Felix Construction, Resource Employee Care, The Fix Podcast, Derek Maines, Human Resources, Employee Assistance Program, EAP, People Operations, Caring Culture, Workforce Management, Phoenix Construction, Spanish Speaking Support.
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In this powerful episode of The Fix, we dive deep into the human side of business. Host Derek Maines is joined by David Giannetto of Felix Construction and Daniel & Renee Mercado of Resource Employee Care to discuss a critical but often overlooked aspect of leadership: proactive employee care. Discover how providing on-site, confidential support for personal crises—from marital issues and financial stress to suicide prevention—is not just "fluffy people stuff," but a crucial risk management and retention strategy. Learn why the standard 1-800 EAP number often fails and how having a trusted, familiar face on the job site can save lives, improve safety, and transform your company culture. In this episode, you'll learn: -Why personal crises are a business problem that directly impact safety and productivity. -The sobering statistic: with 400 employees, you likely have 20 people in crisis on any given morning. -Real-world stories of intervention, including marital restoration and responding to a workplace suicide. -How confidential, on-site care serves as an extension of leadership, building trust and a caring culture. -The tangible ROI of employee care in dangerous industries like construction, where a distracted worker can be a fatal risk. -Practical steps for implementing a care program that goes beyond a benefits pamphlet. If you are a leader, HR professional, or business owner in construction, manufacturing, or any high-stakes industry, this conversation is a wake-up call to the power of human-centric leadership. Mentioned in this episode: Resource Employee Care: RECArizona.com Connect with Us: Subscribe to The Fix for more conversations on building better businesses. Have you implemented a similar program? Share your story in the comments below! Chapters: 0:00 - Introducing a New Model for Employee Care 1:20 - Daniel's Inspiration: Serving People in Construction 3:25 - How On-Site "Rounds" Build Trust 5:10 - Being an Extension of Leadership's Care 8:59 - Scaling Culture from 20 to 400 Employees 10:22 - The Failure of the 1-800 Number 13:42 - Powerful Testimonials: Saving Marriages & Lives 19:13 - The Business Case for Proactive Care 24:56 - Confidentiality and Integration into Leadership 27:04 - The Final Word: Supporting Your Calling Keywords: Employee Care, Mental Health in Construction, Employee Retention, Company Culture, Leadership, HR Strategy, Risk Management, Workplace Safety, Suicide Prevention, Crisis Counseling, Proactive Support, David Giannetto, Daniel Mercado, Renee Mercado, Felix Construction, Resource Employee Care, The Fix Podcast, Derek Maines, Human Resources, Employee Assistance Program, EAP, People Operations, Caring Culture, Workforce Management, Phoenix Construction, Spanish Speaking Support.