It was a really boneheaded question to be sure. I feel really bad for “Gary” who is getting dragged in the media left and right now however. Can you imagine? I’d be mortified.
It wasn't a boneheaded question at all. As an executive in an all-hands situation, with thousands of employees and their concerns, you'll get questions that are uncomfortable (because they're repetitive, touch on grey areas, etc. etc.). Mark is partially a billionaire because he should be able to handle these softballs more gracefully.
Mark not being able to empathize and give a more human answer is a fault, not some logical depth and honesty revealed like some of his employees saw it.
Edit here's an example:
We've talked a lot today about the headwinds and economic conditions we're expecting for this year and the following few years. In that same vein, we'll reevaluate meta days. Right now I expect them to be reduced both to save costs and because we're transitioning to a more hybrid working environment.
I pulled that out of my butt in 5 seconds. There's no need to be a big baby at a fluff event.
Well I guess we disagree then. As always with these things, it’s more nuanced. The timing of that question was the part that I think was pretty poorly thought out. That wasn’t even the point of my post though. I was expressing sympathy for the poster. Poor guys probably having a rough go with all the media attention. Sucks.
Fwiw. I’m seeing other comments saying that it was pre recorded which if true means the timing wasn’t even “Gary’s” fault.
It is my understanding that the question was pre-recorded and submitted in advance, the 'fault' seems to lie with the moderator who selected that one to be answered.
Honestly, it's a solid and fair question of labor to management. If they're going to be changing incentives, an employee is in the right to ask about related incentives so that they can make the educated decision sooner rather than later that "this place isn't for you," which was Zuckerberg's stated goal in the Q&A.
The door swings both ways, and if Meta can't exist without making people work harder for less compensation, maybe Meta doesn't need to be in the market. More information shared earlier can optimize everyone's time.
