Not trying to be antagonistic, but precise. You say "upon vesting" which makes the assumption all employees are granted options. This is not the case. I don't see anything wrong with simply being a payed employee, receiving a fair salary for the work performed. If someone wants to be guaranteed a shareholder position, they absolutely can! By starting a company of their own. That is the beauty of our economic system. Not everyone is entitled to ownership at their place of work, nor should they be.