HUMANITY AS A STRATEGY: TURNING CARE INTO CULTURE ED DEANGELIS, CEO | EDA CONTRACTORS, INC.
At EDA Contractors, a culture of care is defined by intentional humanity. It is demonstrated through leadership that recognizes people as whole individuals and leads with empathy, awareness, and purpose. What does that look like in practice? It is leadership that offers transparent communication, consistent recognition, empathetic workplace policies, equity in opportunity, and a compassion for the humanity within us all.
It is leading with humanity as a strategy.
substance use disorders as the national average, with approximately 15% affected compared to 8.6% of the general adult population, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Additionally, 11.6% of construction workers report illicit drug use. • The risks extend beyond substance use. While construction workers make up just 7% of the workforce, they account for 20% of on-the-job fatalities and 16% of opioid overdoses, according to the Center for Construction Research and Training.
At its core, humanity as a strategy means embedding human principles, empathy, connection, respect, listening, and compassion, into the way decisions are made, teams are led, and cultures are shaped. It’s a conscious and consistent commitment to putting people at the center of organizational life.
At EDA, this is reflected strongly in EDA’s PACT Program. The EDA PACT (Personal Accountability Changes Today) program is a cornerstone of EDA’s culture, aimed at supporting employees struggling with substance use challenges. For more than five years, the program has provided a framework for compassion, support, and recovery, ensuring EDA employees never have to face addiction challenges alone. It promotes safe and responsible job performance by addressing substance use and guiding employees through treatment and recovery. EDA PACT guarantees a return to work upon successful completion, giving employees the confidence to prioritize their health and wellness. We all know the sobering facts. • Construction workers face nearly twice the rate of 38 CONSTRUCTION TODAY
The EDA PACT Program is EDA’s way to face the addiction realities that attack the construction segment by recognizing the humanity of our workforce, and supporting the betterment of that humanity, for the emotional, psychological and physical safety of our team, our partners, and our community.