They believed a lie. If they accept getting paid in stock, they're tying their futures to the companies. Which means risk. It could make them very rich or waste

They believed a lie. If they accept getting paid in stock, they're tying their futures to the companies. Which means risk. It could make them very rich or waste years of their lives to say nothing of the opportunity cost. People who don't want that risk should opt to get paid in liquid cash instead.