Netflix’s Radical Take on Annual Leave: Why There’s No System to Track Holidays
Introduction
Netflix has become famous for its flexible and employee-centric HR policies. One area where this stands out is how the company handles annual leave. Unlike many large organisations, Netflix does not use a rigid HR system to track time off. This article explores Netflix’s distinctive approach, summarising verified sources and showing how their philosophy shapes the way employees take holidays.
Key Findings
- Netflix does not use a traditional HR or leave management system to track annual leave for salaried staff.
- Their philosophy is summarised in the two-word policy: “Take vacation.”
- Time off is managed informally through trust and manager-employee conversations, not centralised software.
- Netflix does use advanced HR analytics, but not for tracking holidays.
- There is no evidence of Netflix relying on mainstream HRIS tools (such as Workday or SAP SuccessFactors) for leave management^2^7.
Analysis
Leave Policy: Trust Over Tracking
Netflix’s approach is unusual in the corporate world. The company encourages staff to take as much holiday as they think is right. Rather than logging requests into a formal system, employees discuss their plans directly with their managers^7. The key is mutual respect and responsibility, not software controls.
This radical transparency means there is no central tracking of annual leave. Auditors historically requested a system, but Netflix preferred to keep its informal process, trusting staff to act as adults^9. This sets them apart from organisations that rely on strict staff holiday software to handle absences.
HR Systems and Analytics
Netflix focuses on using advanced HR analytics to understand employee sentiment, performance, and team dynamics—not to keep tabs on holidays or attendance^2. The company prioritises flexible, decentralised HR practices over rigid processes. HR teams support engagement and measure outcomes, but holiday tracking is left out of these systems.
Conclusion
Netflix’s approach to annual leave demonstrates a high level of trust in employees. There are few, if any, rules about time off. There is also no traditional leave management system in place for tracking holidays. Instead, Netflix relies on communication between staff and managers. This aligns with their overall belief in autonomy and responsibility. For organisations considering their own policies, Netflix offers a clear example that staff holiday software is not always required at scale—but it depends on your culture and trust in your team.