Not long ago an employee of a fast-growing firm near San Francisco was, after only a year on the job, on the verge of decamping for greener pastures. (We'll call this person Harry.) At 25, he was getting a salary close to $100,000—plus options. Harry's boss didn't want him to leave. Harry already had 18,000 options, vesting over four years. Stick around, he was told, and we can throw another 18,000 your way. READ MORE