Engineer my own layoff question - stock options/RSUs?

[secondcor521]

Hi all,

I've been FI for a while but had been sticking around to finish the project I'm on, collect on some stock options, and pad the nest egg a little bit more while the work was OK.  I'm also a little burned out and wouldn't mind a sabbatical.

Work took a turn for the worse today to where it will be much less fun, and somehow the "engineer my own layoff" thing popped into my head.

I know I would just need to ask, but has anyone ever negotiated to get immediate vesting on outstanding stock options and/or RSUs?  I've got some worth about two years of expenses' worth that vest over the next three years or so, and if I could exercise those as part of an exit deal I think I would be sorely tempted to pull the trigger and walk out the door.

Thanks!

[geekette]

Good luck with that...there's a reason they call them golden handcuffs.

My DH retired and was able to take options, but the RSUs went "poof".

[secondcor521]

Good point.  Were the options vested or unvested at the time he left?

[geekette]

Some of the options were unvested, but he got to keep them and they continued to vest, only because he met the requirements for retirement.

[secondcor521]

Thanks for the reply.  I don't meet the qualifications for retirement, and I don't think there are any clauses in my options about retirement anyway.  Oh well, it was a nice thought.