So being at a company that pays equity bonuses is nice in theory. Overall probably means your salary is pretty good, so while I'm about to bitch and moan in this post – I recognize that things could bw way worse, and folks working hourly are really who needs to be defended today. Having said that, if you get offered an RSA or RSU stock grant, or any form of “bonus” that comes with a contract – you might legitimately be better off rejecting it.
After over two years at my job I lined up something new, and put in my resignation with two weeks notice. I knew I was going to be surrendering bonuses that were awarded previously because they were paid in chunks over several years ( which sucks ). What I did not know is that for RSA grants you literally lose money to taxes! The “bonus” I was “awarded” last year wound up being a generous – $5,000 award. If I had stuck around any longer it was about to turn into a -$13,000 award!
Retention bonuses have similar issues depending on whether you hop jobs between tax years – insofar as you get have to wait until the next year to get a refund on the taxes you paid.
Read those agreements carefully, and honestly don't sign unless you intend to stay for until the payout date.