Van Natta To Leave Facebook, Yahoo Offers Enhanced Severance To Retain Employees


AllThingsD first reported yesterday that Facebook CRO (formerly COO) Owen Van Natta is leaving the social network to pursue his desire to be a CEO. You could take all this at face value or read something more into Van Natta’s departure, depending on how skeptical/cynical you are. All the public statements, however, were favorable and laudatory.

Meanwhile, over at Yahoo, the company is planning to offer all its employees enhanced severance packages (”golden parachutes”) in the event they’re laid off after a potential Microsoft takeover. According to the Wall Street Journal:

The severance plans provide for staff that meet those conditions to receive four months’ to 24 months’ salary and health benefits, depending on their job level. Other provisions include accelerated vesting of stock options and restricted stock and reimbursement for outplacement services of up to $15,000.

The reason given for the packages is employee retention in the current climate of uncertainty, which has accelerated the departures of a number of high profile Yahoo employees, including Bradley Horowitz. The scope of these enhanced packages — extended to the entire company — is somewhat unprecedented. And the practical effect would be to impose additional costs on Microsoft after a possible takeover. One can imagine that Microsoft will tend to favor its own personnel over Yahoo’s and that there would be many layoffs after a deal closed.



Greg Sterling is a Contributing Editor at Search Engine Land, and writes a personal blog Screenwerk, examining the broader world of media and advertising. He also posts at a Local Mobile Search, which is focused on the mobile Internet.

See more articles by Greg Sterling >


Share, Bookmark & Discuss This Article
More:


Keep Updated: News Via Email | News Via RSS Feed | News Via Twitter


See more stories like this in the Members Library! Check out the Facebook, Microsoft & Yahoo Search Deal, Yahoo: Business Issues, Yahoo: Employees sections of the Members Library where this story is filed. Members also get access to exclusive video content, a members-only weekly & monthly newsletter, plus more. Check out all the benefits!

Comments are closed.


RECENT COMMENTS

  • pete142 said " Very good bartender analogy gives the main point of the article instant clarity. Well done! I am env"
  • webmarketingadvisor said " It would be interesting to know how the decisions about the logos are made - I've been keeping a blo"
  • solarian said " Your article would be more consistent if you provide some links to not optimized for search engines "

See All »


FREE DAILY SEARCH NEWS RECAP!

Stay on top of all the search news with our daily summary, the SearchCap newsletter. View a sample ›

STAY CURRENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY

RSS Feeds

The Search Engine Land feed keeps you informed as news happens. SEE ALL FEEDS »

Upcoming Search Engine Land Conferences

Advertise With Us »

Search Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.


SMX Web Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »


Join us at an upcoming SMX event:

Search Marketing Now Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Search Marketing Now. Upcoming online events include:


See more webcast topics »

TRACK US SOCIALLY
Upcoming Search Engine Land Conferences

Get Your Search Engine Land
Premium Membership!

Become a premium member today and receive:

  • Express commenting privileges & photo.
  • Exclusive videos & newsletters.
  • Discounts to our SMX conferences.
  • Access to "How To" & Other Archives.

Learn More

Upcoming Search Engine Land Conferences
Add to GoogleAdd to My Yahoo!Add to BloglinesAdd to NetvibesAdd to Windows Live