Rawhide Theme Song: A New Anthem for Zappos’ Holocracy Culture?

Zappos, famous for getting rid of all managers to form a “Holacracy” is in the news again. Apparently the “managerless” workplace doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Zappos has had to institute a three week+ training course to help new hires adjust. And there must be lots of new hires needed to replace the 200 employees who quit instead of accepting the Holacracy culture.

Even though Zappos embraces a “bottoms up” philosophy, the institutional decision to fire anyone who is late for 7 am orientation sounds pretty "tops down" to me. It’s also what brought to mind the theme song for the 60’s era Western, Rawhide.

“Keep Them Doggies Moving, Though They’re Disapprovin’, Keep Them Doggies Moving. Rawhide!” 

I’ll also be interested to see how effective the herd culled by the zero tolerance for lateness policy will be for Zappos. I’ve always found that creative problem solvers just love to be treated like naughty children, haven’t you?

Mandatory Paid Sick Leave: If you have 1 or more employees — this applies to you!

Beginning July 1, 2015 a new California law requires employers like you with one or more employees (including part-time and temporaries) to provide paid sick leave. Here are some highlights you should be aware of:

• The sick leave accrual rate is one hour for every 30 hours worked.

• Sick leave pay goes to any employee who worked in California for 30 days.

• Employers are allowed to limit an employee’s use of paid sick leave to 24 hours or three days in each year of employment.

• Employers may put a maximum cap on total accrual of 48 hours or six days. Note: The rules differ for employers who give 3 days sick leave in a lump sum in the beginning of the year.

• Sick leave may be used to care for family illness and that includes parents, children, foster and stepchildren, grandparents, siblings, domestic partners and others.

• Detailed recordkeeping and notice requirements, including a new poster requirement, are mandatory. Noncompliance with this law has penalties

As you can see, this is a complex law. I’d suggest contacting your payroll service for help figuring how to meet the pay stub requirements. For more general questions, you can contact me for a no-cost consultation.