Culture in Action: Moments that Show What Systems Really Do

Culture is often spoken about in abstract terms — values, vision, and community spirit — but in reality, it reveals itself through the systems we build and the way people respond when things go wrong. The Ethical Employer framework is grounded in this belief: that strong, human systems create the conditions for empathy, trust, and care to come to life.

Moments that matter

What started as a normal design class, students sketching out the early concepts for their projects, shifted in an instant. Our facilities manager knocked on the door. He never interrupts lessons, so when I saw his face, I knew something was wrong.

He quietly told me that our helper had suffered a medical emergency and was unconscious on the floor at home. Thankfully, some maintenance workers were scheduled to visit our apartment and had found her locked inside, with our two year old son.

Within minutes, I was in a car heading home with our head of security, head of facilities, and several first aid trained staff. It was a blur of coordination and worry, but the team handled everything with calm professionalism and compassion, and by the time we arrived they had broken down the door and made sure everyone was safe and getting the care they needed.

Once everything was under control, I returned to school, probably more out of instinct than sense, only to be met with, “What are you doing here? We have got you covered for the rest of the day! Go home!”

Every job has its challenges, frustrations, and occasional chaos. But it is moments like this that really stay with you, the times when you see the strength of a community, the kindness of colleagues, and the quiet humanity that underpins what we do every day.

It is also a powerful reminder of what we are trying to highlight through The Ethical Employer, that the true measure of a workplace lies in the systems and structures that enable people to act quickly, confidently, and with care and compassion when it matters most. Empathy and compassion are vital, but there are well designed, supportive systems that make sure those values can rapidly swing into action when it matters.