6 ms·

Netflix is known for being speedy with hiring because they are also speedy with firing under performers. So they see hiring as a relatively low risk propositio

Netflix is known for being speedy with hiring because they are also speedy with firing under performers. So they see hiring as a relatively low risk proposition and will make decisions faster since the long term effects are greatly lessened.

jedberg 7y ago
This is absolutely true. It was just as easy to fire someone as it was to hire someone, so hiring was a lower risk activity. But even so, most people did not get fired, contrary to popular belief. I don't remember the stats, but almost no one was fired within their first year for example.
- zerr 7y ago
  Did you have any H1Bs at that time? I mean it would be a horrible experience for such persons - firing fast (and without any notice?) would most likely result in deporting her along with her family. Also, interesting - if a person is a high performer for the first couple of years and then becomes a low performer - most likely something is wrong with the company and/or the particular project/team itself.
  - jedberg 7y ago
    > Did you have any H1Bs at that time? Yes, a bunch. They are some of the highest paid H1B workers in the country. [0] > I mean it would be a horrible experience for such persons - firing fast (and without any notice?) would most likely result in deporting her along with her family. That is true, but it was never with no notice. You didn't get put on an official plan, but when someone was fired it usually wasn't a surprise. > Also, interesting - if a person is a high performer for the first couple of years and then becomes a low performer - most likely something is wrong with the company and/or the particular project/team itself. Netflix had no issues letting people go who just weren't needed anymore. They might have been very good, just not needed. For example when we moved from the datacenter to AWS, everyone who dealt with datacenter ops was given the option to learn AWS or get a generous severance package. Also, when we moved from relational databases to Key/Value, the DBAs were asked if they wanted to learn to managed Key/Value stores instead, or if they wanted to look for new jobs. [0] https://h1bdata.info/index.php?em=netflix&job=&city=&year=2019 https://h1bdata.info/index.php?em=netflix&job=&city=&year=20...
    - zerr 7y ago
      > highest paid H1B workers in the country Interesting, looking at the data, besides a couple 350K-400K (which is a norm at Netflix), they seem to be underpaid compared to non-H1Bs (i.e. the norm). Also, considering that "all in cash, no benefits/bonuses" policy of Netflix, H1B base salary data is indeed a total payment.
Apocryphon 7y ago
At least they're making good use of California being an at-will state.
- anthm1988 7y ago
  by treating people as truly disposable.
- asdfasgasdgasdg 7y ago
  All fifty states are at will states.
  - Maledictus 7y ago
    I thought Montana is an exception, but I don't remember where I read that.
    - CameronNemo 7y ago
      Yeah but all the "people" in Montana are secretly bison.
      - DrScump 7y ago
        "On the internet, nobody knows you're a bison."
- the_watcher 7y ago
  Are there any states in the US that are not "at-will"? California is not a right to work state, and AFAIK, at will employment is an option in every US state.
koboll 7y ago
That seems like a tremendous waste of time and resources for everyone involved.
- jedberg 7y ago
  How so? It took far less time than other interview process I’ve been involved with.
zerr 7y ago
Due to bad publicity, Netflix reverted that "fire fast"/"sports team, not a family" mentality, at least on the paper. Also, e.g. Google has a shorter average tenure.

jedberg 7y ago

This is absolutely true. It was just as easy to fire someone as it was to hire someone, so hiring was a lower risk activity. But even so, most people did not get fired, contrary to popular belief. I don't remember the stats, but almost no one was fired within their first year for example.

zerr 7y ago
Did you have any H1Bs at that time? I mean it would be a horrible experience for such persons - firing fast (and without any notice?) would most likely result in deporting her along with her family. Also, interesting - if a person is a high performer for the first couple of years and then becomes a low performer - most likely something is wrong with the company and/or the particular project/team itself.
- jedberg 7y ago
  > Did you have any H1Bs at that time? Yes, a bunch. They are some of the highest paid H1B workers in the country. [0] > I mean it would be a horrible experience for such persons - firing fast (and without any notice?) would most likely result in deporting her along with her family. That is true, but it was never with no notice. You didn't get put on an official plan, but when someone was fired it usually wasn't a surprise. > Also, interesting - if a person is a high performer for the first couple of years and then becomes a low performer - most likely something is wrong with the company and/or the particular project/team itself. Netflix had no issues letting people go who just weren't needed anymore. They might have been very good, just not needed. For example when we moved from the datacenter to AWS, everyone who dealt with datacenter ops was given the option to learn AWS or get a generous severance package. Also, when we moved from relational databases to Key/Value, the DBAs were asked if they wanted to learn to managed Key/Value stores instead, or if they wanted to look for new jobs. [0] https://h1bdata.info/index.php?em=netflix&job=&city=&year=2019 https://h1bdata.info/index.php?em=netflix&job=&city=&year=20...
  - zerr 7y ago
    > highest paid H1B workers in the country Interesting, looking at the data, besides a couple 350K-400K (which is a norm at Netflix), they seem to be underpaid compared to non-H1Bs (i.e. the norm). Also, considering that "all in cash, no benefits/bonuses" policy of Netflix, H1B base salary data is indeed a total payment.

Apocryphon 7y ago

At least they're making good use of California being an at-will state.

anthm1988 7y ago
by treating people as truly disposable.
asdfasgasdgasdg 7y ago
All fifty states are at will states.
- Maledictus 7y ago
  I thought Montana is an exception, but I don't remember where I read that.
  - CameronNemo 7y ago
    Yeah but all the "people" in Montana are secretly bison.
    - DrScump 7y ago
      "On the internet, nobody knows you're a bison."
the_watcher 7y ago
Are there any states in the US that are not "at-will"? California is not a right to work state, and AFAIK, at will employment is an option in every US state.

koboll 7y ago

That seems like a tremendous waste of time and resources for everyone involved.

jedberg 7y ago
How so? It took far less time than other interview process I’ve been involved with.

zerr 7y ago

Due to bad publicity, Netflix reverted that "fire fast"/"sports team, not a family" mentality, at least on the paper. Also, e.g. Google has a shorter average tenure.