At HubSpot, a marketing software company, the work culture is both fascinating and unsettling. With a workforce primarily under 30, it’s a world of ‘unicorns’ and ‘superheroes’, where employees are encouraged to be ‘fearless’. The company’s ethos, outlined in a 128-slide PowerPoint known as the ‘Culture Code’, promotes transparency, autonomy and a lack of hierarchy. However, this seemingly utopian workplace has a darker side.
The company’s expectation for employees to devote their lives to the job, combined with a lack of job security, creates a high-pressure environment. The emphasis on youth and energy has led to accusations of ageism. Furthermore, the ‘Culture Code’ encourages employees to ‘choose positivity’, which can lead to a culture of forced happiness.
HubSpot’s approach to firing, or ‘graduation’ as they term it, is particularly controversial. Employees are told they are ‘graduating’ because they’ve outgrown the company, despite the fact they may not have a job to go to. This is a euphemism designed to make the process less painful, but it can leave employees feeling lost and confused.
While HubSpot’s culture may appeal to some, it’s not for everyone. The company’s focus on youth and relentless positivity can create a high-pressure environment that is at odds with the laid-back image the company projects.
Go to source article: http://fortune.com/disrupted-excerpt-hubspot-startup-dan-lyons/