Most of their top engineers would quit and go to work for another company that values their time. Quality of service would fall because top people have left. They would have a lot more difficult time to find any engineers to work for them.
“Most of their top engineers would quit and go to work for another company that values their time.”
Maybe. But I doubt it.
First because people don’t quit that fast and second because I think something else might happen that is worth the risk of loosing a few “top” quitters.
I think top people will realize there is an opportunity here, and after seeing how effective it can be for a team to work toward a common goal, will request other such tasks be added to the list.
Eventually, people at that company can choose where to use their “20% service job” time.
But, then again, don’t worry, it’s all theoretical anyway, it’s obviously not up to me.
Engineers switch companies already on average every few years. All companies have trouble keeping top engineers as it is with all the competition going on. Look at the perks and benefits being offered to them. If those perks can sway engineers then imagine how being forced to do something someone is not good at, might cause them PTSD, might be waste of time for progression in their life, be in general just a lot more unpleasant activity can affect the choice among companies they work for. All of those extra activities besides being able to focus on work will affect productivity and achieving goals. There is enough work and goals to achieve, I am not going to choose a week every quarter to do something that is not going to help me towards career goals I have. I do not think I am superior or others are beneath me but it is logical for me to choose a company that aligns best with what I want to achieve and if I have the option to do so, why not?
“I am not going to choose a week every quarter to do something that is not going to help me towards career goals I have.”
In which case, if it was up to me, and it is not, obviously, I’d open a short discussion about goals, and if we couldn’t find a common ground, would write down “culture fit” and wish you better happiness somewhere else.
If there are enough engineers who do not want to be forced to do chores unrelated to what they excel at, what they don't see benefitting their lives and what has dangers to their mental health it is likely you won't have many to build your video platform left.
Why should engineer choose this culture compared to other cultures where he can just build things and provide value at what they are best at?
Knowing other engineers most would avoid such activities where they can't use their skills valuably like a plague.
Also you would lose goal/results oriented people. The ones who are best at reaching those goals are the ones who can not stand doing anything that does not align woth those goals.
