Netscape's Work Culture

Netscape's Culture Contd..

Job rotation was another important feature of Netscape's culture. By doing so, the company helped its employees learn about new roles and new projects in the company. For example, Tim Kaiser, a software engineer, worked on four different projects in his first year of employment. The company believed in letting its staff take up new jobs – whether it was a new project in the same department or a new project in another department. Moreover, related experience was not a requirement for job rotation. Netscape played a proactive role in identifying new positions for its employees inside the company. Employees were offered a wide range of training options and an annual tuition reimbursement of US $6,000.

This opportunity to expand their skills on the job was valued by all employees. The company also helped employees learn about the functioning of other departments.

There were quarterly 'all-hands' meetings in which senior managers of different departments gave presentations on their strategies. These efforts created a sense of community among employees. An employee remarked, "They really try to keep us informed so we feel like we are involved with the whole company."

Netscape offered a wide range of on-campus services to its employees. Apart from the standard package of health and vision benefits (See Exhibit III), Netscape also offered a 'Total Health and Productivity' plan.

The on-campus services program was introduced through an agreement with a San Francisco based service provider, LesConcierges.¹⁴ Under the program, employees were able to get some of their routine work done like dry cleaning, paying bills, getting the oil changed in their automobiles, etc. They could also consult a dentist or even have a massage. The program also helped employees to plan for holidays as well as order gifts. Sick children of employees were also looked after at a child-care facility near the campus for US $10 a day.

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14] LesConcierges, founded in 1987, offered a comprehensive range of business and personal services to corporations as a work/life benefit for employees.

Case Details

Case Code : HROB013
Themes: Organizational Culture
Case Length : 13 Pages
Period : 1994-2000
Organization : Netscape
Pub Date : 2001
Teaching Note : Available
Countries : USA
Industry : Information Technology

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