Employment Glossary

Browse 7 employment terms defined in plain English, from the cultural dictionary of computing.

7 Employment Terms

Cliff: The initial period (typically one year) in a vesting schedule during which no equity vests. After the cliff, a large chunk (usually 25%) vests at once, with...
Cliff: The initial period (typically one year) of a vesting schedule during which no equity vests. If you leave before the cliff, you get nothing. The startup's...
Double Trigger: An acceleration provision where employee equity vests early only if two conditions occur, typically a change of control plus termination without cause or a...
Moonlighting: The practice of taking on additional paid work outside a primary job, usually outside regular hours. In engineering organizations it can raise questions about...
Non-Compete: A contractual clause restricting someone from joining or starting a competing business for a specified time, geography, or market after leaving a role. Its...
Vesting: The process by which an employee earns ownership of employer-contributed stock or options over time. Standard startup vesting is a 4-year schedule with a...
W-2: A U.S. tax form reporting wages and withholdings for employees. In startup operations, the distinction between W-2 employees and contractors affects taxes,...