Comment by betashop | Hacker News Reader

Comment by betashop | Hacker News Reader

Hi. Jason Goldberg, CEO of Fab here. @betashop. I'm happy to answer any questions you have.

I must say that given my involvement in the Y-Hacker community it saddens me a bit to see you eat one of your own, but that's life I guess.

Is it smart to joke about people getting paid and getting fired? Of course not. Yes, we know that getting fired isn’t the sort of thing to normally joke about. But before haters hate on us, come visit Fab’s offices. We have this thing at Fab called “do your one thing” - the notion that everyone should focus on doing the one thing they are the best at above all other things and that the accumulation of everyone’s one things creates a great organization. No one’s one thing at Fab is to be a professional model.

Hi Jason. It's nice to see that you've taken the time to comment on this submission and answer any questions we have for you.

You acknowledge that it's inappropriate to joke about payment and firing employees, but you continue to do it. I don't see using the Michael Scott-esque excuse of "come visit our offices" as appropriate. Here's my question for you. Do you feel, honestly and completely, that you have not created a toxic work environment in the slightest with your behavior? How are Fab's offices' different than any other startup's?

Hey Jason, I commented more at length on the PandoDaily piece, but I have to say I agree with almost everything you wrote in your post. I think the problem HN and most people have with the "getting fired" jokes is that it creates a subconscious almost gut-wrenching feeling for employees regardless of intent. And even if I'm a top performer hearing someone joke about that just doesn't seem necessary. Hanging your jackets and creating an aesthetic for your office, since it's also a showroom, is perfectly understandable. And if sass and certain kind of jokes are part of the culture, that's great! You filter out those who don't match a hardworking, fun, but no BS atmosphere.

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