This episode of The Journal delves into the changing corporate culture at Netflix, particularly its departure from the once-celebrated "freedom and responsibility" model. Previously, Netflix embraced an open and generous workplace, highlighted by an innovative year-long paid parental leave policy aimed at attracting and retaining top talent. However, in light of declining subscribers and falling stock prices, the company introduced cost-cutting strategies, which included making their benefits, like parental leave, less transparent—now unofficially limited to six months despite denials. This transition has sparked employee dissatisfaction and has led to legal challenges, raising concerns about whether Netflix can preserve its distinctive identity while also ensuring financial stability. The podcast features the story of Vanessa Hughes, a former marketing manager who is suing Netflix after being laid off during her parental leave.
