Sorry to hear that! What the consensus on the best way for someone to avoid this? Immediate vesting if let go? Some predefined severance agreement? 6 mo/12 mo contract? I understand it's a big decision for a startup to hire employee #1, but how can I protect myself in such a future case?
[deleted]
Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
41–50 of 297 posts
Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#42Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#43I've been a CTO/CEO and have hired many people over time. Some of this has already been said, but: 1. Those jobs may still be open, reasonable people wouldn't hold taking another job against you. Work is work, and those who step back into discussion with you will show you a reasonableness that you will value more than before. 2. Situations like this is why sign-ing bonuses were invented. If you're COO of anything, yo…
> Those jobs may still be open, reasonable people wouldn't
> hold taking another job against you
Also a CTO who has hired many people.If I've made someone an offer, I want them. If they've had a better offer, that's ok. But if they've turned me down because it went nowhere, I still want them.
Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#44Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#45I was given a job offer at Pixar (back when Pixar made their own hardware). I really wanted to go there but my first son was born and I just didn't feel Pixar was quite stable enough so I turned the job down. Turned out I was right because, if I had taken the job, I would have learned Pixar was getting out of the hardware business and I would have been let go two weeks after starting.
The job I took instead was with Silicon Graphics. I was hired for my video expertise. Was sent to training, set up in a local office, and then the company did a re-organization and my new boss was in Dallas instead of Detroit. My new boss decided he wanted a Fortran programmer and not a video expert so, three months after hire, I'm gone.
Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#46Yeah it happens to me, and now i don't refuse other offer as long as i haven't signed anything. In french we say "un tiens vaut mieux que deux tu l'auras". "One given is better than you'll get two." Bref, you have opportunity and to your wife telle the things frankly and breath you'll find job soon. I wish you well for the next things. Regards.
Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#47Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#48> I like the founders - they are good guys. No. They're not. You don't get to screw around with other people's lives and continue to possess the title of "good guy". If they were good guys, you would be receiving tens of thousands of dollars for your difficulties, and such would have enough of a runway on that such that you wouldn't need to ask us for advice. Please do us all a favor and let us know who they are beyo…
Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#49Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#50I've been a CTO/CEO and have hired many people over time. Some of this has already been said, but: 1. Those jobs may still be open, reasonable people wouldn't hold taking another job against you. Work is work, and those who step back into discussion with you will show you a reasonableness that you will value more than before. 2. Situations like this is why sign-ing bonuses were invented. If you're COO of anything, yo…