Last night my friend, like so many workers, began celebrating the holidays by burning through some hard-earned vacation days. While doing so, he kicked back with a Netflix movie. I found a certain irony to the scene because Netflix has a totally different vacation policy: Take as much time as you need.

Wow.

I recognize that this certainly isn’t the first blog to comment on Netflix’s policies. Nonetheless, when I encountered their slided manifesto entitled “Reference Guide on our Freedom and Responsibility Culture,” I experienced a mental deluge that felt worthy of sharing.

First, ten striking tidbits from the presentation:

• “There is also no clothing policy at Netflix, but no one has come to work naked lately.”
• Their expense policy is five words long: “Act in Netflix’s best interests.”
• Netflix’s overall approach is to emphasize context (e.g. mission, goals, metrics) instead of control (e.g. policies, process).
• Netflix believes that, with the right people, it’s possible to have a “culture of freedom and responsibility” instead of a culture of process adherence.
• “The real company values…are shown by who gets rewarded, promoted, or let go.”
• Part of Netflix’s courage value is, “You question actions inconsistent with our values,” regardless of the status of the actor.
• “In creative work, the best are 10x better than the average…” so Netflix pays amply in an attempt to get stars in every role.
• “Adequate performance gets a generous severance package.”
• Netflix believes employees should actively ask other employers what they would be paid elsewhere, and managers who want to retain the employees adjust their compensation to that market amount.
• “To avoid surprises, you should periodically ask your manager: ‘If I told you I were leaving, how hard would you work to change my mind to stay at Netflix?”

The slide deck tells a great story that’s definitely worth a look, think, and debate. Netflix’s approach is so different that it becomes fun to imagine its potential implications on you and your organization. To some, the world described might seem like a utopia for teams who trust each other and hold each other accountable to outcomes instead of onerous policies.

To others, the Netflix culture might sound like an unforgiving place that only accommodates superstars and their potential work-a-holism. Would these stars really take fifteen-ish days of vacation a year? Many Americans don’t use all their days—even when they’re explicitly accrued. Would you feel like a slacker if you used fifteen-ish days–worrying and wondering if that’s too much?

It’s rare for a PowerPoint to inspire such questions and imagination, so thanks to Netflix for provoking such thought.

And for the self-employed? I’ll just watch the Christmas classics on Netflix streaming—and try not to keep track of the time I’m not working!

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