golden parachutes

Lavish departure deals

Golden parachutes are lucrative severance packages guaranteed to top executives if they lose their positions, especially following a corporate takeover or merger.

The term evokes a soft landing for those pushed out—while ordinary employees may get nothing.

Critics see them as rewarding failure; defenders argue they help attract talent and allow executives to evaluate acquisitions objectively: The CEO's golden parachute was worth forty million dollars.

reward

windfall

Unanticipated lucky gain

payout · profit · earnings · remuneration · gratuity · jackpot · lucrative · enrichment

corporate

merger

Corporate combination

buyout · restructuring · change of control · tender offer · poison pill · white knight · leveraged buyout · spin-off · divestiture · private equity

severance

compensation

Payment for services rendered

  • packageWrapped item for delivery
  • payoutMoney distributed to recipient
  • buyoutPurchase of controlling interest

settlement · benefits · stock options · vesting · acceleration · non-compete · clauses · agreement · contract · provisions

controversy

backlash

Strong negative reaction

inequity · disparity · greed · exploitation · cronyism · public opinion · moral hazard · resentment · unfairness · privilege

executive

CEO

Top corporate officer

  • CFOTop corporate money officer
  • C-suiteTop executive positions
  • boardFlat rigid panel

leadership · negotiation · retention · succession · recruitment · talent · headhunter · perquisites · signing bonus · employment contract

Categories
Opposites
severance generosity

golden parachutestwo weeks' notice

Customary job departure warning

pink slip · nothing · summary dismissal

executive vs worker treatment

golden parachutesmass layoffs

Simultaneous dismissal of many workers

factory closures · downsizing · workforce reduction

employment security/protection

golden parachutesat-will employment

Job without guaranteed duration

no safety net · job insecurity · gig economy

Family

golden, goldfish, parachute, golds, gilded, parachutes, parachuted, parachuting, goldsmith

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Timeless · Abstract · Rated G