Online footwear retailer Zappos has crafted an unusual training program for its new employees. A week or two in, it offers the fresh-faced newbies $1,500 to quitplus a paycheck for the hours they've already worked.

Online footwear retailer Zappos has crafted an unusual training program for its new employees. A week or two in, it offers the fresh-faced newbies $1,500 to quit-plus a paycheck for the hours they’ve already worked.

The policy is a way to make sure new employees are there for more than just the paycheck, says Rachel Brown, training manager at Zappos, No 27 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide.

Dubbed by Zappos veterans as the offer, Brown says the training class leader leaves the room and designated employees enter to have a frank discussion with the newly hired. They say: Off the record, really, how is everything going? Does it seem like the right fit for you? Is this really where you think you want to be?’ Then we say if this isn’t the place for you we want to let you know about an early resignation offer that you can take advantage of, Brown says.

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Zappos has been offering the unorthodox pay-to-resign program for about three years, toying with amounts ranging from $100 to $1,000. It only recently upped the ante to $1,500. About 2% to 3% take the money, Brown says. She attributes the small number taking the cash to a careful screening process. That includes an interview consisting of questions aimed to get a feel for the applicant’s personality, such as: On a scale of one to 10 how lucky do you think you are?’ and When is the last time you went above and beyond for a customer?’

And, she says Zappos strives to let all interviewees know about Zappos’ service-based, team-orientated culture. Zappos was one of the pioneers of free delivery and free returns, and the company motto is: We are a service company that happens to sell.

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All new hires except those working in the Zappos warehouse complete the month-long customer loyalty training program. Brown says about two-thirds go on to work in call center roles.

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