Comments on: Some Companies Bribe Their New Employees To Quit…REALLY?…MAYBE It’s A Good Idea? http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/ The thoughts and experiences of Merrill Dubrow Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:43:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Bob Graham http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/#comment-68175 Bob Graham Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:14:55 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/#comment-68175 Reminds me of the classic exchange between Capt Spaulding (Groucho Marx) and Emmanuel Ravelli (Chico Marx) in "Animal Crackers" The setup: Captain Spaulding has just returned from the wilds of Africa to appear as a special guest at Mrs. Rittenhouse' Long Island party. As we enter the scene, the entertainment has turned up... Hives: Signor Emanuel Ravelli! (Fanfare) Ravelli: How do you do? Mrs. Rittenhouse: How do you do? Ravelli: Where's the dining room? Spaulding: Say, I used to know a fellow, looked exactly like you, by the name of...ah...Emanuel Ravelli. Are you his brother? Ravelli: I'm Emanuel Ravelli. Spaulding: You're Emanuel Ravelli? Ravelli: I'm Emanuel Ravelli. Spaulding: Well, no wonder you look like him...But I still insist, there is a resemblance. Ravelli: Ha, ha, ha, ha...hey, he thinks I look alike. Spaulding: Well, if you do it's a tough break for both of you. Mrs. Rittenhouse: You are one of the musicians? But you were not due until tomorrow. Ravelli: Couldn't come tomorrow, that's too quick. Spaulding: Say, you're lucky they didn't come yesterday! Ravelli: We were busy yesterday, but we charge just the same. Spaulding: This is better than exploring! What do you fellows get an hour? Ravelli: Oh, for playing we getta ten dollars an hour. Spaulding: I see...What do you get for not playing? Ravelli: Twelve dollars an hour. Spaulding: Well, clip me off a piece of that. Ravelli: Now, for rehearsing we make special rate. Thatsa fifteen dollars an hour. Spaulding: That's for rehearsing? Ravelli: Thatsa for rehearsing. Spaulding: And what do you get for not rehearsing? Ravelli: You couldn't afford it...Heh...you see, if we don't rehearse, we don't play...And, if we don't play...That runs into money. Spaulding: How much would you want to run into an open manhole? Ravelli: Just the cover charge. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha... Spaulding: Well, drop in some time. Ravelli: Sewer! Spaulding: Well, we cleaned that up pretty well. Ravelli: Well, let's see how we stand... Spaulding: Flatfooted. Ravelli: Yesterday, we didn't come. You remember, yesterday we didn't come? Spaulding: Oh, I remember... Ravelli: Yeah, that's three-hundred dollars. Spaulding: Yesterday you didn't come, that's three-hundred dollars? Ravelli: That's three-hundred dollars. Spaulding: Well, that's reasonable. I can see that alright. Ravelli: Now...today, we did come. That's uh... Spaulding: That's a hundred you owe us. Ravelli: Say, I bet I'm gonna lose on the deal...Tomorrow, we leave. That's worth about... Spaulding: A million dollars! Ravelli: Yeah, that's alright for me, but I gotta partner! Reminds me of the classic exchange between Capt Spaulding (Groucho Marx) and Emmanuel Ravelli (Chico Marx) in “Animal Crackers”

The setup: Captain Spaulding has just returned from the wilds of Africa to appear as a special guest at Mrs. Rittenhouse’ Long Island party. As we enter the scene, the entertainment has turned up…

Hives: Signor Emanuel Ravelli!

(Fanfare)

Ravelli: How do you do?

Mrs. Rittenhouse: How do you do?

Ravelli: Where’s the dining room?

Spaulding: Say, I used to know a fellow, looked exactly like you, by the name of…ah…Emanuel Ravelli. Are you his brother?

Ravelli: I’m Emanuel Ravelli.

Spaulding: You’re Emanuel Ravelli?

Ravelli: I’m Emanuel Ravelli.

Spaulding: Well, no wonder you look like him…But I still insist, there is a resemblance.

Ravelli: Ha, ha, ha, ha…hey, he thinks I look alike.

Spaulding: Well, if you do it’s a tough break for both of you.

Mrs. Rittenhouse: You are one of the musicians? But you were not due until tomorrow.

Ravelli: Couldn’t come tomorrow, that’s too quick.

Spaulding: Say, you’re lucky they didn’t come yesterday!

Ravelli: We were busy yesterday, but we charge just the same.

Spaulding: This is better than exploring! What do you fellows get an hour?

Ravelli: Oh, for playing we getta ten dollars an hour.

Spaulding: I see…What do you get for not playing?

Ravelli: Twelve dollars an hour.

Spaulding: Well, clip me off a piece of that.

Ravelli: Now, for rehearsing we make special rate. Thatsa fifteen dollars an hour.

Spaulding: That’s for rehearsing?

Ravelli: Thatsa for rehearsing.

Spaulding: And what do you get for not rehearsing?

Ravelli: You couldn’t afford it…Heh…you see, if we don’t rehearse, we don’t play…And, if we don’t play…That runs into money.

Spaulding: How much would you want to run into an open manhole?

Ravelli: Just the cover charge. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha…

Spaulding: Well, drop in some time.

Ravelli: Sewer!

Spaulding: Well, we cleaned that up pretty well.

Ravelli: Well, let’s see how we stand…

Spaulding: Flatfooted.

Ravelli: Yesterday, we didn’t come. You remember, yesterday we didn’t come?

Spaulding: Oh, I remember…

Ravelli: Yeah, that’s three-hundred dollars.

Spaulding: Yesterday you didn’t come, that’s three-hundred dollars?

Ravelli: That’s three-hundred dollars.

Spaulding: Well, that’s reasonable. I can see that alright.

Ravelli: Now…today, we did come. That’s uh…

Spaulding: That’s a hundred you owe us.

Ravelli: Say, I bet I’m gonna lose on the deal…Tomorrow, we leave. That’s worth about…

Spaulding: A million dollars!

Ravelli: Yeah, that’s alright for me, but I gotta partner!

]]> By: Khary Campbell http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/#comment-68173 Khary Campbell Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:29:01 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/#comment-68173 I have to imagine that this is incredibly cost effective, especially from an HR standpoint. I'm not sure you could truly quantify how much they are saving by weeding out these types of employees but it would be interesting to see their turnover rates, especially 5-10 years from now compared to companies with your more traditional training programs. Thanks for the good read. I have to imagine that this is incredibly cost effective, especially from an HR standpoint. I’m not sure you could truly quantify how much they are saving by weeding out these types of employees but it would be interesting to see their turnover rates, especially 5-10 years from now compared to companies with your more traditional training programs. Thanks for the good read.

]]> By: Shawn Smith http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/#comment-68158 Shawn Smith Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:20:05 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/#comment-68158 One thing that isn't mentioned too much is that anyone who takes the offer is not allowed to apply for a job at Zappos.com again. Ever. And, yes, the offer was recently bumped to $2,000. Also, EVERY employee, from managers to accountants to computer programmers to buyers to everyone else goes through the training, and actually spends a week talking to customers on the phone even if that's not their "regular" job. There are all kinds of other perks the company offers--see the recent story on ABC's Nightline to get an idea. One thing that isn’t mentioned too much is that anyone who takes the offer is not allowed to apply for a job at Zappos.com again. Ever. And, yes, the offer was recently bumped to $2,000. Also, EVERY employee, from managers to accountants to computer programmers to buyers to everyone else goes through the training, and actually spends a week talking to customers on the phone even if that’s not their “regular” job.

There are all kinds of other perks the company offers–see the recent story on ABC’s Nightline to get an idea.

]]> By: Merrill Dubrow http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/#comment-68152 Merrill Dubrow Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:21:03 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/#comment-68152 Steve, Interesting questions. Not sure they let the staff negotiate the offer to leave. The article didn't mention that they have increased the offer since they started the program but it isn't customized by person - more of a company policy here is the deal sort of thing. I wonder if they mention that there is a deal in place during the interviewing process - that might make a difference to some folks and weed out other. I don't recall seeing anything they do for long term employees - lots of companies give packages these days... or at least in the past. I wouldn't be surprised if some of that went away in the next few years. Good comments. Merrill Steve,

Interesting questions. Not sure they let the staff negotiate the offer to leave. The article didn’t mention that they have increased the offer since they started the program but it isn’t customized by person - more of a company policy here is the deal sort of thing.

I wonder if they mention that there is a deal in place during the interviewing process - that might make a difference to some folks and weed out other.

I don’t recall seeing anything they do for long term employees - lots of companies give packages these days… or at least in the past. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of that went away in the next few years.

Good comments.

Merrill

]]> By: Dustin Cannon http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/#comment-68146 Dustin Cannon Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:55:09 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/#comment-68146 Very neat idea. It always amazes me how few companies think about the incentives they give employees. And by incentive, I mean in the truest sense of the word. What are you paying them to do? Show up? Get new customers? Work faster? Work slower? Work efficiently? When you really think about it, it is often not the answer you think it should be? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal-agent_problem Very neat idea. It always amazes me how few companies think about the incentives they give employees. And by incentive, I mean in the truest sense of the word. What are you paying them to do? Show up? Get new customers? Work faster? Work slower? Work efficiently?

When you really think about it, it is often not the answer you think it should be?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal-agent_problem

]]> By: Steve Runfeldt http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/#comment-68143 Steve Runfeldt Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:48:09 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/#comment-68143 Do the employees ever try to negotiate a higher bonus? "No, I won't leave for $1000, but if you offer me $5000, I might be interested." Think of all the money they could save on training costs is if they made the offer at the time of the interview. I was going to say that they should make the same offer to long term employees, but many companies actually do that, don't they? Do they get more if they agree to go work for a competitor? Do the employees ever try to negotiate a higher bonus? “No, I won’t leave for $1000, but if you offer me $5000, I might be interested.”

Think of all the money they could save on training costs is if they made the offer at the time of the interview.

I was going to say that they should make the same offer to long term employees, but many companies actually do that, don’t they?

Do they get more if they agree to go work for a competitor?

]]> By: Matt Gershner http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/#comment-68140 Matt Gershner Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:44:13 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/07/28/some-companies-bribe-their-new-employees-to-quitreallymaybe-its-a-good-idea/#comment-68140 I had read this article when it came out and I think it's brilliant - so much cheaper than having an employee that doesn't want to be there. And, as a sometimes customer of Zappos - their service is second to none. I ordered dress shoes right before my wedding and forgot to put down expedited shipping (so much going on that week), so when I called, the agent upgraded me to overnight at no cost and even enclosed a handwritten card wishing us luck on the wedding - it was too bad the shoes didn't fit and I had to return them. I would use this practice as a model on how to get the very best and, more importantly, get rid of those who are only looking for a paycheck. I had read this article when it came out and I think it’s brilliant - so much cheaper than having an employee that doesn’t want to be there.

And, as a sometimes customer of Zappos - their service is second to none. I ordered dress shoes right before my wedding and forgot to put down expedited shipping (so much going on that week), so when I called, the agent upgraded me to overnight at no cost and even enclosed a handwritten card wishing us luck on the wedding - it was too bad the shoes didn’t fit and I had to return them.

I would use this practice as a model on how to get the very best and, more importantly, get rid of those who are only looking for a paycheck.

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