In 2013, Zappos announced its plan for self-management. It would eliminate all managerial positions and let each employee dictate their activities. The tremendous backlash, both from the media and employees, left the company reeling. 14 percent of employees left and accepted the 3 months severance pay offered.
The best commentary was provided by a regular poster, Robert P. Holmes III, to Business Insider: “Can I go work there? This place sounds like heaven for a lazy person like me. I can see it now, “Rob, did you forget to put a coversheet on your TPS report again?” Me: “Yep, and I don’t care because you’re not my boss! Nobody is! Bahahahaha!”
Sources:
Business Insider: 210 Zappos employees — 14% of the staff — take buyouts after CEO ultimatum to embrace self-management or leave
Zappos Insights: A Memo from Tony Hsieh
Zappos Insights: Zappos Journey to Self-Management: We don’t have it all figured out
Forbes: Tony Hsieh’s Workplace Dream: Is Holacracy a Big Failure?