Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by lx3459683 2847 days ago
At least in a startup environment, the bus factor risk isn't even on the same order of magnitude as much more tangible stuff like the client walking away. Doubling your labor costs to mitigate a risk that doesn't make the top 3 is just bad business. Sometimes it's not even an option.

You make a deal with your #1s that they will get the fun projects, the paid vacations when the current crisis is over, the completely flexible hours and full autonomy. Anything they want within reason, as long as shit gets done.

It's not for everyone, but I can see where GP is coming from.
2 comments
Xylakant 2847 days ago
So you’d rather like that the employees foot the bill? Someone needs to pay for that prized 24/7. Note that you can scrounge up an on-call schedule with three people, two if you squeeze it.

Flex hours is a thing that helps, but even there must be an agreement that when you’re off, you’re off. Companies can be stuck in perceived crisis mode for years at a time.

link
lx3459683 2847 days ago
Having been one of those #1 employees in the past, I didn't feel short changed. It was an arrangement that was beneficial for both myself and the employer. I don't know how many of us there are. But there are people who will take being on call 24/7 in exchange for full autonomy and not having to justify coming and leaving at random hours or taking leave without notice when the opportunity is there.

I had the employer pay for some of my vacations during downtime, I progressed along my career path much faster than normal employees, I was paid more than normal employees. It was a good gig.

link
Xylakant 2847 days ago
There’s a huge leap between “I’m founder or employee #1 and if this flies, it’ll be great.” and the sweeping statement that people that don’t pick up their phone after business hours cannot be entrusted with important projects - which is exactly the statement I took offense with.

And even startups need to get out of “we’ll wing it and cover with our lives for our management failures” mode as early as possible because it’s clearly not sustainable.

link
s73v3r_ 2847 days ago
"the paid vacations when the current crisis is over"

You don't have to pay for the vacation, if the crisis never ends.

link