Zappos CEO ‘brainstorming’ flexible schedule for employees
Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh might take a scheduling idea from Uber for a spin.
Hsieh on Thursday unveiled an idea that would give his company’s workers more flexibility with their work schedules.
He told more than 1,000 Zappos employees at a staff meeting at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts that he was inspired by Uber, the San Francisco-based ride-share business that lets its drivers shape their work schedules and work as many hours as they want. Hsieh said that Uber rides were more expensive when there was a bigger demand for rides.
Hsieh stressed the flexible work schedule proposal was still at an early stage at the online retail business, which is headquartered at the old City Hall building in downtown Las Vegas.
“It’s at the early brainstorming stages,” Hsieh said at the Zappos staff session, called the “All Hands Meeting.” “I just want to put this out there.”
Hsieh offered a theoretical scenario in which Zappos workers could use 10 percent — or four hours — of their 40-hour work schedule any way they like without needing a manager’s permission.
“Instead of calling in sick, you don’t show up,” Hsieh said.
Hsieh said a flexible work schedule system would let workers accommodate things going on in their personal lives.
The program could potentially provide workers with more pay, growth, learning and flexibility.
Separately, at Zappos:
■ The next All Hands Meeting is Nov. 24 to discuss financials and a best customers strategy, Hsieh said.
■ Three female Zappos employees updated their fellow “Zapponians” on the “Women in Leadership” group that grew out of an All Hands meeting three months ago. The trio outlined upcoming meetings.
■ Hsieh also touched on the topic of trying to make Zappos “the most transparent company in the world … What if we opened up Zappos to the world to develop a more personal and emotional relationship with the world?”
■ He noted an email would be sent to Zappos workers about the 30 layoffs at Downtown Project, Hsieh’s $350 million initiative to redevelop downtown Las Vegas. Hsieh said the email would correct misinformation published by two websites on the layoffs.
