4 ms·

RSUs are golden handcuffs. You'll continually get a raise each year and a portion of that will be new RSUs that vest over the next four years. If you ever wan

RSUs are golden handcuffs. You'll continually get a raise each year and a portion of that will be new RSUs that vest over the next four years. If you ever want to leave, that continually means leaving a substantial amount of money on the table. Thankfully some companies will give you a hiring bonus equal to your unvested RSUs though (edit: the big tech companies poaching from each other will sometimes do it, for those asking). As with all things labor related, RSUs are transactional. "Loyalty" shouldn't play into it because a large publicly traded corporation can only be so loyal to every one of it's employees.

maxwellg 7y ago
> Thankfully some companies will give you a hiring bonus equal to your unvested RSUs though I've never head of this before. Seems like 2-3 years of RSUs could easily be over $1 million for someone later in their career. A $1 million signing bonus would be insane.
throw2773sgge 7y ago
> Thankfully some companies will give you a hiring bonus equal to your unvested RSUs though Do you have any company names? Also, any numbers from your experience? I’d be quite happy to join pretty much anything for a 600K+ signing bonus.
- nik_0_0 7y ago
  I’ve heard of companies matching the RSU 1:1, same value, same schedule. Not a sign on bonus though.
crmrc114 7y ago
Oh it gets even better! If you work for a nicely performing stock like a FAANG you can encounter this gem: (Simple Round Numbers) 1. Get Base 100k + RSU 100k over 4 years 2. You work hard, company does better, yay! 3. Stock goes up RSUs now = 200k 4. I am sorry we cannot give you a raise because your total compensation = (Base+All RSUs) is over out allowable funding for your role. No raise for you! But keep up the good work! 5. Anytime yet get stock #3 happens... you get stuck with a low base and monopoly money. Try getting a bank to give you a loan with a huge RSU number... it can be done, but oh my god what a PITA.

maxwellg 7y ago

> Thankfully some companies will give you a hiring bonus equal to your unvested RSUs though I've never head of this before. Seems like 2-3 years of RSUs could easily be over $1 million for someone later in their career. A $1 million signing bonus would be insane.

throw2773sgge 7y ago

> Thankfully some companies will give you a hiring bonus equal to your unvested RSUs though Do you have any company names? Also, any numbers from your experience? I’d be quite happy to join pretty much anything for a 600K+ signing bonus.

nik_0_0 7y ago
I’ve heard of companies matching the RSU 1:1, same value, same schedule. Not a sign on bonus though.

crmrc114 7y ago

Oh it gets even better! If you work for a nicely performing stock like a FAANG you can encounter this gem: (Simple Round Numbers) 1. Get Base 100k + RSU 100k over 4 years 2. You work hard, company does better, yay! 3. Stock goes up RSUs now = 200k 4. I am sorry we cannot give you a raise because your total compensation = (Base+All RSUs) is over out allowable funding for your role. No raise for you! But keep up the good work! 5. Anytime yet get stock #3 happens... you get stuck with a low base and monopoly money. Try getting a bank to give you a loan with a huge RSU number... it can be done, but oh my god what a PITA.