When one stays at a company for many, many years, certain things start to happen gradually. And that gradual becomes the "norm", when it shouldn't be the norm.
Weekly stealth layoffs and a stock that doesn't go anywhere are some things that have become the "norm" and the person grows numb or non-reactive to such things. Sort of like living in the Matrix.
Fact #1: J's stock closed at $25.72 on 1/4/16
Fact #2: J's stock closed at $26.41 on 5/10/19
In that SAME time frame, the ancient and mature DOW Index grew 58.70%. The more modern tech oriented NASDAQ grew 70.49%. The stalwart S&P500 grew 49.91%.
Amazon stock (the largest hirer of technical talent & MBAs) grew 211.34% in that time. Competitor Cisco's stock grew 115.33%. Competitor Arista's stock stock grew 283.65%.
So if you have a tranche of RSUs, apples to apples, you now have an idea of the EXTRA money you'd have in your pocket in a period of roughly 3.5 years (almost the entire 4 yr. vesting period of an original RSU tranche). It's an eye opener isn't it?
And to those who are "handcuffed" to a tranche of RSUs, do KNOW that companies MATCH your tranche and make you WHOLE in the form of extra RSUs with same old vesting dates and/or relevant signing bonus. So hypothetically, if you get $200k RSU offer, and you have 100k handcuffs over 2 years with your old employer, then they will add that extra 100k to your offer package for a total of 300k. This is quite normal and not out of the ordinary in the least! In other words, there's no such thing as golden "handcuffs" in this day and age.
Now, if you don't receive RSUs, then do KNOW that at other highly perceived tech companies it's a near CERTAINTY that you'll receive RSUs EVERY year!
.........And the promised annual bonus to your pay grade will always be 100% and likely higher!
Also know that the "New Hire" package of RSUs you'd receive at other companies would likely be in the SIX figures.
Then of course, everything else: likely better benefits, no weekly threat of layoffs, a likely much more harmonious working culture, and working on Tech that'll keep you learning and keep you relevant for career growth and longevity.
Imagine receiving maybe 1-2 hits from a headhunter on Linkedin to receiving several WEEKLY when you switch to another highly perceived company. That's a litmus test of perception. It's very real and very shocking when you experience this difference!
Take weight of your situation on how to proceed in the future. Remember, the economy is good now, but that could change quickly, especially with our Prez (hiring freezes come hard and fast). Waiting too long to do a change could cost you MANY years to regain a proper upward reset.
Good Luck to all!