As a creative engineering company, our primary product at First Mode is our people—their intelligence, talents, and problem-solving capabilities define our continued success as a business. As such, taking care of our employees’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being is of utmost importance to our company, and our benefits package is designed to reflect this.
While First Mode itself is only a few years old, we have made it a priority to expand our benefits each year since our inception, and 2022 was no exception to that rule. “It was really exciting to present several valuable new benefits this calendar year, including a learning and development allowance, paid parental leave, and 401(k) employer contribution,” said David Bares, benefits administrator at First Mode. “Being able to offer these things lets us continue to retain the industry-leading talent on our team, and we’re already looking at ways we can improve our benefits even further with our next update.”
“Our employees are so important to us, and recognizing their value in the form of a comprehensive and competitive benefits package is an absolute must,” added Lindsey Yeates, VP of People at First Mode. “As we continue to grow this amazing group, our benefits help us maintain a company culture where everyone is provided with the things they need to be successful both at and outside of the office.”
First Mode’s U.S. benefits for 2022 include the following.
Medical Insurance
First Mode provides medical coverage through Regence Blue Shield’s Preferred Network, with two options for deductible and out-of-pocket maximums available for employees to choose from. We provide 100% of paid premiums for employees, as well as 50% premium coverage for dependents.
Dental Insurance
First Mode offers dental insurance through Delta Dental of Washington’s PPO Plan, which includes a deductible of $25, an annual benefit up to $1,500, and coverage for major care at a rate of 50%. As with medical insurance, 100% of premiums are paid for employees and 50% of premiums are covered for dependents.
Vision Insurance
First Mode provides vision insurance and hardware coverage through VSP. As with medical and dental, 100% of premiums are covered for employees, while 50% coverage is offered for dependents.
Holidays & Paid Time Off (PTO)
In addition to eight paid US holidays, First Mode offers flexible PTO with a minimum of four weeks off.
Parental Leave
After six months of employment with First Mode, we offer up to 12 weeks of supplemental paid parental leave in conjunction with WA Paid Family & Medical Leave. (Note: This is subject to ESD approval.)
Life & AD&D Insurance
This employer-paid benefit provides $50,000 worth of coverage for basic life insurance as well as accidental death and dismemberment through MetLife. All full-time employees reporting at least 20 hours per week will be automatically enrolled. Additionally, First Mode offers supplemental options for portable, well-priced individual term life insurance for employees and their dependents through Ladder.
Short-term & Long-term Disability
First Mode also offers short-term and long-term disability insurance through MetLife, with all full-time employees reporting at least 20 hours per week being automatically enrolled in this income protection benefit.
401(k)s & Employer Contributions
401(k) contributions by employees can begin from the first day of employment at First Mode, with 401(k) & 401(k) Roth options available. After one year with First Mode, an employer contribution of 3% of the employee’s base pay will begin automatically, including for employees not currently contributing to their own 401(k).
Annual Bonus
Annual bonuses are paid out dependent upon First Mode’s overall company performance. (In the last three years, First Mode has paid out 10% of employees’ annual salary to all employees.)
Learning & Development
After one year of employment with First Mode, employees are eligible to receive $2,000 USD to use toward items such as books, seminars and webinars, or educational materials that align with their current role or career path.
Pet Insurance
In addition to the insurances mentioned above, First Mode offers discounted pet insurance through Petplan.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Our FSA program is designed to help employees use tax-free dollars to pay for healthcare and dependent care expenses, with a maximum contribution of up to $2,750 (for health-related expenses) and $5,000 (for childcare-related expenses), and annual carryover of up to $550 allowed.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
This mental health benefit provides access to up to five in-person, phone, or video consultations with licensed counselors for employees and their eligible household members, per issue, per calendar year.
Financial Planning
Through Origin, First Mode offers free one-to-one financial planning consultations to help employees develop their retirement roadmap.
Transportation & Parking
First Mode’s headquarters is located in the Pioneer Square neighborhood near downtown Seattle, and free full-time parking is made available to all employees who wish to drive regularly to work. Rotating parking garage cards are also available to those who wish to drive to First Mode’s headquarters or SoDo facility on occasion. Additionally, employees working an average of 20 hours per week or more are eligible to receive a free ORCA Passport Card from the company.
Miscellaneous
First Mode offers a wide variety of additional perks, with more being added regularly. Currently among these are discounted gym memberships, travel pricing, and more through PerkSpot; twice-weekly guided meditations at the First Mode offices; an annual wellness fair including free immunizations; a flexible hybrid work model; plenty of free First Mode swag; a stocked kitchen at all of our offices; and regular company-paid happy hours.
Want to work with us? We’re hiring! First Mode draws on the exceptional talent and creativity of its multidisciplinary team to solve the toughest problems on and off the planet. Check out our open positions in Seattle and Perth.
