Lots of companies talk about being people first, but what does it really look like to the people in those companies? In the first of a three-part series, we asked members of the ME team: What does 'people first' mean to you and how are you experiencing that at ME? Here’s what they said…

AJ: When I first started, Lea and I talked about being human first before you can be people first, because it's often basic human needs that are most neglected in workplaces. To be people first you need to meet those and then create an environment where people can thrive.

I've never been trusted this much, nor given the space to be accountable to myself. I don't need to ask for permission, I need instead to figure out my own boundaries and needs and then feel empowered to protect and meet them. It's actually an incredibly scary reality at first, but then change is scary even when it's good. It's transformative.

LoAn: This principle of ‘people first’ at ME is refreshing to experience. So new of a practice that I had to watch, listen, see how our team members embody this for me to move into recognizing its compassionate care for each other.  Once I acknowledge this is part of ‘Doing Business Differently' at ME, I relax into this principle and conduct myself from the place of self care and agency and marvel at the outer layer of doubt and fear shedding away to reveal the beauty of trust and freedom to do the work from my place of contribution.

Laura: At ME, the priority is always on wellbeing. We are ambitious and driven because of our mission, but work does not come at the expense of health and mental wellness. Breaks are granted and encouraged. I have experienced immense grace and flexibility as I recover from ongoing health issues that have reduced my availability for work - and not once has anyone implied that I needed to ‘toughen up’ or that I was creating a burden on the team!

Thank you, ME team! Part 2, on why working at ME is different, is coming soon.