Golden Handcuffs: Stock Options

Almost all the top tech companies offer some signing bonus, usually in the form of stocks. You don’t get all, and in most cases, none of it when you start. They are typically vested across four years, receiving a fraction each year. If you decide to quit after two years, any amount of the signing bonus awarded to you is yours, but any remaining balance is forfeited. To receive the full amount, you must stay the four years. This is surprising considering most people will leave before receiving the full amount.