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.
Unanticipated lucky gain
- bonusReward beyond expectation
- incentiveReward encouraging action
- premiumAdded cost for better
- payoutMoney distributed to recipient
profit · earnings · remuneration · gratuity · jackpot · lucrative · enrichment
Corporate combination
- acquisitionAct of obtaining something
- takeoverAssuming command of something
- hostile bidUnsolicited acquisition offer
- buyoutPurchase of controlling interest
restructuring · change of control · tender offer · poison pill · white knight · leveraged buyout · spin-off · divestiture
Payment for services rendered
- packageWrapped item for delivery
- payoutMoney distributed to recipient
- buyoutPurchase of controlling interest
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
benefits · stock options · vesting · acceleration · non-compete · clauses · agreement · contract
Strong negative reaction
- criticismJudgment of faults
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
disparity · greed · exploitation · cronyism · public opinion · moral hazard · resentment · unfairness
Top corporate officer
- CFOTop corporate money officer
- C-suiteTop executive positions
- boardFlat rigid panel
- leadershipAbility to direct others
negotiation · retention · succession · recruitment · talent · headhunter · perquisites · signing bonus
windfall
Unanticipated lucky gain
payout · profit · earnings · remuneration · gratuity · jackpot · lucrative · enrichment
merger
Corporate combination
- acquisitionAct of obtaining something
- takeoverAssuming command of something
- hostile bidUnsolicited acquisition offer
buyout · restructuring · change of control · tender offer · poison pill · white knight · leveraged buyout · spin-off · divestiture · private equity
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
backlash
Strong negative reaction
inequity · disparity · greed · exploitation · cronyism · public opinion · moral hazard · resentment · unfairness · privilege
CEO
Top corporate officer
leadership · negotiation · retention · succession · recruitment · talent · headhunter · perquisites · signing bonus · employment contract
- corporate worldCEO, CFO, COO, VP, executive
- rewardsrewards, reward, prizes, prize, trophy
- executive compensationbase salary, bonuses, stock options, restricted stock, incentive pay
- executive paybase salary, base pay, salary, bonus, bonuses
- executive contractsseverance packages, non-compete clauses, stock options, signing bonuses, employment terms
- incentive theorymoral hazard, adverse selection, principal-agent, signaling, screening
golden, goldfish, parachute, golds, gilded, parachutes, parachuted, parachuting, goldsmith