Netflix recently told its employees to quit if they’re offended by its content.
The streaming platform sent out a memo to its staff members titled “Netflix Culture — Seeking Excellence,” highlighting that it wouldn’t suppress its content creators’ “artistic expression” to accommodate its workers’ personal beliefs, principles, and lifestyles.
Netflix addressed the topic in a section of the letter called “Artistic Expression.”
“As employees, we support the principle that Netflix offers a diversity of stories, even if we find some titles counter to our own personal values,” the company wrote in their memo, released on May 12. “Depending on your role, you may need to work on titles you perceive to be harmful. If you’d find it hard to support our content breadth, Netflix may not be the best place for you.”
The memo also indicated that Netflix supported all the creators they’ve chosen to work with and that the platform enabled viewers to “decide what’s appropriate for them.”
“Not everyone will like—or agree with—everything on our service. While every title is different, we approach them based on the same set of principles. We support the artistic expression of the creators we choose to work with. We program for a diversity of audiences and tastes, and we let viewers decide what’s appropriate for them, versus having Netflix censor specific artists or voices,” the company said.
Their letter arrived months after Netflix employees’ uproar over award-winning comedian Dave Chappelle’s comments about transgender people in his 2021 comedy special, The Closer.
Following the special, numerous staff members staged a walkout in response to Chappelle’s jokes. However, the seasoned standup star didn’t back down, nor did the streaming giant’s CEO, Ted Sarandos.
Saradnos reportedly sent an internal memo saying The Closer didn’t cross “the line on hate” and would continue to be streamed on Netflix.
