Valve is known for doing things a bit differently in the game industry. That even goes as far as creating a new employee manual that is entertaining to read. It also turns out to be a fascinating way to learn how Valve works. Someone has apparently uploaded the Valve employee manual, (via IStartedSomething.com), which according to the document was first published in March 2012.
The manual explains a lot about how Valve treats its workers, including the fact that its new employees don"t have a specific job description and can pick what projects they can work on. As the manual explains:
That’s why Valve is flat. It’s our shorthand way of saying that we don’t have any management, and nobody “reports to” anybody else. We do have a founder/president, but even he isn’t your manager. This company is yours to steer—toward opportunities and away from risks. You have the power to green-light projects. You have the power to ship products.
The manual is full of wisdom about how to manage employees in a company dedicated to creative endeavors. It also has a lot of funny illustrations, such as the one above. The manual contains a quick timeline of Valve"s history up until now and a glossary of terms and names of people Valve employees will likely encounter. It"s worth your time to check it out.
Image via Valve