Why it matters
Zappos has offered new hires money to quit partway through their initial training. Few take it, but the offer makes commitment a conscious choice and saves both sides from a poor fit.
How to run it
- Immerse new hires in the culture first — values, stories, real work.
- Make the offer openly partway through onboarding.
- Respect the choice either way.
- Learn from it. If many people take it, your hiring or culture message needs work.
Watch out for
- Making the offer before people understand the culture
- Treating those who accept as failures — thank them
When not to use it
In tight labour markets or roles where hiring is very costly — use an honest “is this right for you?” conversation instead.