I think the key thing here is that they didn't just nuke her, the employee received a "generous" severance package. I think it's ok practice if it's a expected part of the job and is built into the compensation.
But don't be fooled -- this sort of thing is a subtle change in status for finance and engineering jobs. You're no longer a professional, you're labor. That's a concept that tradesmen accept, but I don't think the average IT guy does.
The company need to acknowledge what that means too. If I'm just some keyboard puncher, I could give a fuck about what is best for the company.
It will work out as long as the the good times roll and the core cadre of decision makers stay lucky. One misstep, the whole place implodes.
It's interesting, in that you need to look at Netflix more like a real estate developer or construction company than a tech player. I went to school with a kid whose dad was a multimillionaire real estate developer dude. Then a project got delayed by some external factor, which killed his cash flow. And the, and the economy shifted and killed his line of credit.
I don't think they have to stay lucky, I think they have to stay calm. The problem is, often when the luck runs out, the calm does too. Amidst panic people seek refuge in tradition, not finding it a place like Netflix could collapse you're right.
But I don't see why these rules couldn't work in a contracting revenue scenario, as long as you keep cutting staffing levels where they need to be to keep a runway.
That too makes it hard to stay calm though. The severance policy helps.
I have to say that I immediately loved the Netflix culture deck when it first went public. If that's truly reflective of their culture, I'm sure it's not for everyone, but it appeals to many.
Yeah it is appealing on some levels, and it would be interesting to work there for six months to a year. I wouldn't want to work there for very long though. It would be a nice place to work your ass off for a while with other talented people and save up tons of money, and then when you inevitably burn out and get fired you can take a year off and relax.
But don't be fooled -- this sort of thing is a subtle change in status for finance and engineering jobs. You're no longer a professional, you're labor. That's a concept that tradesmen accept, but I don't think the average IT guy does.
The company need to acknowledge what that means too. If I'm just some keyboard puncher, I could give a fuck about what is best for the company.