Why the Best Companies Put People First – A personal tale…

A few weeks ago, I found myself in a situation that no professional ever plans for—having to step away from work unexpectedly due to a family emergency. My mother was hospitalized with pneumonia and congestive heart failure, requiring my full attention. (Mom is home now and doing much better) It couldn’t have happened at a worse time in my calendar, and I dreaded the impact my absence might have on my team, my clients, and my commitments.

But when I informed my CEO, Nad Elias, his immediate response wasn’t about business; it was about family:

“We’re here to help, dude! Take care of your mom, and we’ll cover. I can do your interviews, and we’ll get some help from the team on the rest. Just send me an email on what we need to cover this week. Family first, and we’ll help where we can.”

And that’s exactly what he and the team at recruitAbility did. They stepped in, handled my workload, and lifted a tremendous burden off my shoulders—without hesitation, without guilt, and without making me feel like my job was at risk.

Why This Matters

In today’s competitive talent market, companies often talk about being an employer of choice, but what does that truly mean? It’s not about the perks, the remote work policies, or the fun office culture—it’s about leadership that genuinely cares and an organization that backs up its words with action.

At recruitAbility, we believe that a great company culture is built on a foundation of trust, support, and putting people first. A true employer of choice fosters a culture where employees are valued not just for their output, but as human beings with real lives outside of work. It’s about:

• Leadership that puts people first– When leaders lead with empathy, employees feel secure, valued, and motivated to give their best.
• A culture of trust and support– Knowing your team has your back makes all the difference in engagement and retention.
• Flexibility in times of need – Life happens, and companies that recognize this create loyal, dedicated employees.

The Ripple Effect

Experiences like mine reinforce a simple truth. When a company supports its employees, those employees, in turn, are more engaged, committed, and invested in the organization’s success. The best companies understand that taking care of their people isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s also smart business.

At recruitAbility, our mission is to create a culture where people love where they work. This experience reminded me why that matters so much. I share this story not just out of gratitude but as a reminder to professionals at all levels to choose to work for (or build) companies that stand by their people in both good times and bad. At the end of the day, culture isn’t about slogans on a wall. It’s about how companies show up when it matters most.