General
golden handcuffs
What does golden handcuffs mean?
Financial incentives, like unvested equity, that discourage an employee from quitting.
"His stock options are golden handcuffs, he can't afford to go."
Origin
HR/finance idiom.
Frequently asked questions
What are golden handcuffs?
They're financial rewards such as unvested stock options, bonuses or deferred pay that make it too costly for an employee to leave, effectively tying them to the job.
Are golden handcuffs a good or bad thing?
It depends on perspective. They reward staying, but the term carries a note of being trapped by money rather than genuinely wanting to stay.
How is it different from a golden parachute?
Golden handcuffs keep you from leaving, while a golden parachute is a large payout you receive if you're let go.
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