In 2019, when Masters Customization set out to hire a new employee, one human resources staffer could make it happen in less than an hour. As of mid 2024, it was taking an average of 232 hours for every new hire, with 17 people assigned to filling each position.
Finding qualified employees in the post-pandemic age has proven a challenge for businesses across the US, but Masters is believed to be the first to address the situation by converting to an all employee-less model. The decision was made in September, after the company had dwindled down to ten employees from a high of 137 in 2019
“The combination of people leaving and not being able to hire anyone to replace them meant that a model that included employees was no longer feasible,” says Masters CEO Mona Farris. “Transitioining to a zero employee base allows us to devote more time to more pressing matters.”
On October 1, the ten who remained were offered cash buyouts, plus the office shredders.
“We haven’t had an employee in over two months,” says Ferris, “ and things are going much better than we ever imagined.” She cites advantages like not having to pay for health benefits, worry about who’s taking vacation, plan cafeteria menues, or pay salaries.
“Plus nobody’s spreading any rumors about anyone seeing so and so coming out of the third floor restroom with one of the assistant vice presidents,” she says.
While there are drawbacks – Farris says she’d have to answer her own phone if there were still phones, for instance – the company has seen its monthly profits increase by 23,983 percent since the change.
