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Lost in the comments a bit is that Apple actually offered Hooked 4.5 MILLION to hire these folks in the acqui-hire, and the companied DECLINED saying they had o
by donor20 6y ago
Lost in the comments a bit is that Apple actually offered Hooked 4.5 MILLION to hire these folks in the acqui-hire, and the companied DECLINED saying they had other prospects (which turned out to be false - they were running out of money). The CTO begged for them to go through with the aqui-hire.
If the employees don't have faith in your big plans, and you turn down 4.5 million to make the transition smooth, is it really illegal for the employees to go work for someone else?
Hooked had these folks as at will employees and could fire them with 1 hr notice, and then is pissed they ended up going to work for Apple. Come ON! If you wanted them long term sign them to a long term contract.
- mtnGoat 6y agoI imagine most devs would do the same in the same position too... Stay on possibly sinking ship, or move to a very well paying FANG. Choice isn't hard.
- dalbasal 6y agoUltimately, even acquihires (this one is real explicit) often seem pretty creepy... like a meat market. Here, there wasn't even a pretence of selling assets that aren't a person. "The CEO settled on a new plan: Hooked would “sell” three engineers to Apple." and later "Apple responded that it might consider paying a 'finder’s fee'" Hooked then sues Apple for stealing what he thought they should be buying. I'm glad the law stood with the employees. But, there's obviously a norm whereby employees are viewed as an asset... in the literal sense.