You may have heard the news, but our beloved benefits goddess, Sarah, is officially off the "market". She married her man, Brandon, a picking lead here in the Kentucky Fulfillment Center. Naturally, I had to get to the bottom of this... so I asked her a few nosey, but imporant questions. Please read on as I uncovered this mystery.

How did you and your husband meet?

We actually met through mutual friends a very long time ago. He dated one of my good friends when we were 14 and I even chaperoned a date for him with another girl during the first 3 or 4 years that we were friends. i was asked out on a date with him on a note on a white board by my room-mate, who he had asked to ask me out for him. ( are you confused yet? )

Where did you get married, and why didn't you have it at Zappos so we could all attend?

We got married in Shelbyville, only because we can't have alcohol on the premisis here, the dress code AND you can't have a shotgun wedding without a shot-gun, and guns are also a no-no at our warehouse. However, I will totally consider having our anniversary party here next year for everyone.

Was your cake shaped like a shoe?

Actually no, it was a 3 tier white cake with black branches and cherry blossoms on it.

If you had to wear a brand from Zappos to be married in, what would you have chosen?

He would probably wear Affliction, and I would choose Betsy Johnson.

If you and your husband were animals, what do you think you would be?

I would want to be a basset hound, they are so cute and lovable, and he would definitely be a cat. I could see him being perfectly happy sleeping all day and just getting up to eat and poop.

Do you guys have nicknames for each other, and what are they?

His is, baba and mine is booger bear.

What were your something "new, old, borrowed & blue" items?

The oldest thing I had on was my underwear. I had new shoes. I borrowed make-up because I forgot mine, and I wore my Zappos sweatsuit to set up and break down the whole wedding AND I wore it for my rehearsal dinner.

So as you can see by these answers, it looks like the rumors are true. They really are headed for happily ever after. Another Zappos union for the history books. The picture is truly worth a million words.

January 21st was “Twins day” at the Zappos corporate offices here in Henderson, NV! Members of several departments “Doubled up” to embrace our culture, and each other's similarities! We would like to thank everyone who participated!

Twins day is just another way we show each other that we not only appreciate working together, but also like to call one another the night before and ask what they will be wearing! Not that we do that often....well, actually....

Every Christmas, Zappos does something very great for the employees; it buys a customized product from one of our vendors for each employee!

Last year was a fleece, the year before, a LapTop bag. And this year, we think that our wonderful company might have outdone themselves. Take a look below!

Thank you so much, Zappos!

Hollie D., our HR Generalist Manager, may look like she's all business when she's sitting at her desk, but we now know that she really dreams of Smurfs, possibly getting a faux-hawk and being a kitten in her next life.

So as a loyal soldier of the UX team I can stand behind the claim that Development lost the battle held this morning. While I am a firm believer that a war consists of more than one battle, the first battle does set the tone for the rest of the war. In the pic below you will see clearly the white flag being waved by those across the battle lines on the development side. All should bask in the glory of the victorious UX, PM, HR and Finance allied powers.

Fore score and several weeks ago our Dev team raised up a great army unlike Zappos has ever seen in order to claim the 2300 building for their own. Today it was PM, UX, HR and Finance teams that decided to join troops and to fight this great army of nerf gun nerds. Though their courage is something that all of Zappos should honor, their army was no match for the smoke machine and customized nerf weapons.

Today we all take our hats off and bow down to the new kings of the hill - Development.

Maybe once the Finance and Human Resources army gains it's strength back, they will strike back

I'm sure a lot of you are wondering what do Internet companies do when their lifeline that is the world wide web quits for a decent amount of time? Well, I don't know about most companies, but I do know that Zapponians take the time to go completely crazy. Oh yes, we're talkin' interpretive dance like crazy.

So lets see, shall we, how our wonderful HR department handles the pause in their work day.

Looks like you need a hug!

The HR department hired a new member to their welcoming committee who gives the best BEAR HUGS ever! Really, don't be shy, go visit George the bear (yes, I named him George).

Recently the Kentucky HR team was in Vegas visiting the Las Vegas HR team. The Kentucky Fulfillment Center recently launched their new superhero theme. In addition to the warehouse getting a heroic makeover, the Zapponians in KY were given some fun superhero supplies. A few days after the team left the Cruise Ship Operations team received a care package with our very own superhero kit. Included was a t-shirt, wristbands, eye mask and a pin.

Rosalind, our Cruise Ship Assistant/First Mate, was eager to get into character. Our Las Vegas team also has a soft spot for the superhero sorts as seen in the pics below. The cape is already a staple for our team and the conference room shown resides in HR and was designed by members of our fabulous Recruiting team.

Jacob P. from the HR department has developed quite the canned food collection on his desk and he has no idea who's responsible for this. He thinks it may have something to do with the potato incident a few years back...but he's not quite sure. Hopefully he'll get to the bottom of this before his desk gets confiscated by canned food!

I'm sure some of you might be wondering what the colorful booth that is sitting up stairs in the 2280 building is for. You know, the booth that kind of resembles a lemonade stand or a kissing booth at a small town fair. Well, that booth is one of the many reasons why we LOVE our HR department here at Zappos.com. Not only do they do all the dirty work that most of us wouldn't want to do - such as dealing with important employee information - but they make sure that they are easily accessible twice a day for any questions that any employee here at Zappos may have.

Here's an example of questions or concerns you can have answered at the HR Lucy Booth:

• I moved. What form should I fill in order to update my records?
• How can I change my 401 plan?
• Can you tell me tell me more information about our benefits?
• Any questions involving employee relations.
• Any suggestions (such as more Items in the Collier Store)
• Recruiting employees
• How to nominate a coworker for the "Coworker Bonus."

And that's just to name a few. Basically, our wonderful HR representatives that sits in the Lucy Booth have the answers to just about everything, and for the questions that they can't answer they can point you to someone who can.

So Visit the HR Lucy Booth, because let's face it, it's a lot easier and less awkward than walking all the way over to the 2300 office.

J: So Heaven, how long have you been at Zappos?
H: 2 Years

J: What do you do in Human Resources?
H: I am the Human Resources Assistant

J: What is your favorite part of HR?
H: The random people that work in our department.

J: What is your favorite part about working at Zappos?
H: The environment, the feeling at Zappos. Just smiling at everyone. Dancing anytime and its okay, some people will even join you.

J: Speaking of dancing, you were highlighted in a former blog
showing some impressive dance moves. How did that come about?
H: Well, it was around picnic season and HR just got theirFlip camera.
The rush from picking up the picnic shirts had died down so I started to dance to entertain the helpers passing out the shirts. Next thing I know there is
paparazzi videoing me. My life hasn’t been the same since.

J: Well the dancing wasn’t an isolated incident. We have video of you dancing in a
banana suit. This appears to be your thing. Care to show us your latest moves?
H: Uh…sure!


J: Heaven? That’s an interesting name, care to share some background?
H: My name was supposed to be Autumn but my mom had complications when she delivered me and she decided I was sent from heaven, hence the name.

J: With that name I am sure you hear some interesting pick up lines. What is your favorite?
H: Most of them are inappropriate so I would have to go with:Random Guy: What’s your name?

Heaven: Heaven

Random Guy: Well, I was close. I would have guessed your
name to be Angel.

(Side note: Heaven’s sisters name is Angel, I detect a theme
here)

During Spirit Week, departments were challenged to create a Zappos Cheer. Human Resources spent some time getting schooled in the ways of stomping.
Our very own Human Resources Coordinator, Altovise, did double duty as our team
captain and choreographer. GO HR!

Our wonderful Finance team greets unsuspecting employees each Thursday with the "Random Acts of Kindness" award. They gather the entire team and parade through the office buildings spreading joy (and gift cards!!) to employees across all departments.

I caught up with Michelle S., one of the lucky recipients, to see how the "Random Act of Kindness" inspired joy in her life.



Question: What is your favorite Random Act of kindness that you do for others?

Michelle: " If you walk in or out a door while I’m around, I’ll hold the door open for you."

Question: What "Random Act of Kindess" do you think could change the world if everyone did it?

Michelle: "If everyone covered their mouth after sneezing it would change the world."

Question: What is your favorite core value?

Michelle: "Do more with less."

Question: How did you feel when you received the award?

Michelle: "Amazing!"

Question: Did you wear the hat around all week?

Michelle: "No. I actually gave the hat to someone else
to wear. She loved it!"

Question: Name 5 things that make you happy

Michelle: "Pancakes, Rain, Traveling, Wi-Fi and Dry Humor."

Howzit, faithful followers?!

I really hated to title this latest HR / Training pulsating post as I did, (waaaay too many ABBA references his week for some reason), but what choice did I have??? Feast your ogling ojos on this:


That’s Zappos HR’s very own ninja prom queen, Heaven “Heavenless” T. showing us what she’s got. ‘nuff said.

Oh wait, that’s not true!! I also managed to score a pic of Jamstar’s recent glittering gift from one of her joie de vivre vendors:



Perhaps coming to a Zollar Store near you!! Sweeeeeet……

Some parting notes!

Jobs@zappos! Come getcha some!

Special thanks to p-1603, Zappos CEO, for letting me post Heaven’s performance here, instead of snatching it from my archives for his own sinister purposes, and waiting ever so patiently for me to get it out. Yer the best Tony. Love ya. Mean it.

Coming Soon!
-How HR’s Monthly Outing literally rocked! (promise this one’s coming really soon)
-An update from Training! (sorry, really needed to get Heaven’s routine up!)
-Zappos.com: Powered by Hope! (and another Dancing Queen!!)
-Random Rozzy Thoughts! (building anticipation…it’ll be worth it!)
-The Benches Are Here!!!!! (or, “Why We Love Rozzy and Rebecca L.!”)
-What’s all this about Twitter, then?!!

Until we meet again, “Yes! A brain transplant!...I don’t need it; take my brain!”
~drroo
(follow me on twitter!)

Item!
Have any ideas on how this crazy, kooky thing we call a blog could evolve? They don’t even need to be good ones! Have a burning question, or a need to wax philosophical? Need some sage advice? I’m here for you, citizens of the intarweb, and my sustenance is your comments!!!