velvet handcuffs
Comfortable corporate captivity
Velvet handcuffs are benefits or compensation that make leaving a job financially painful—stock options that vest over years, generous pensions, or golden perks that bind you to an employer.
The restraint is soft but real: The stock options were velvet handcuffs keeping her at a job she'd outgrown.
Less commonly, actual handcuffs lined with velvet for comfort during bondage play.
Luxurious confinement lacking liberty
- trappedUnable to escape
- allureAttractive, tempting quality
- seductionEnticing someone romantically
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
trade-off · compromise · dependency · complacency · stagnation · inertia · resignation · security blanket
Undemanding and pleasant
- plushThick-pile soft fabric
- comfortablePhysically at ease
- affluentHaving abundant financial resources
- privilegedHaving special advantages
opulent · silken · lavish · padded · soft · cozy · upscale · pampering
Maintaining workforce continuity
- job securityProtected employment status
- compensation packageComplete employment reward terms
- stock optionsContracts to purchase shares
- vesting scheduleTimeline for earning ownership
noncompete · benefits · pension · healthcare · bonus · salary · deferred compensation · signing bonus
gilded cage
Luxurious confinement lacking liberty
temptation · trade-off · compromise · dependency · complacency · stagnation · inertia · resignation · security blanket · risk aversion
cushy
Undemanding and pleasant
- plushThick-pile soft fabric
- comfortablePhysically at ease
- affluentHaving abundant financial resources
privileged · opulent · silken · lavish · padded · soft · cozy · upscale · pampering · indulgent
employee retention
Maintaining workforce continuity
- job securityProtected employment status
- compensation packageComplete employment reward terms
- stock optionsContracts to purchase shares
vesting schedule · noncompete · benefits · pension · healthcare · bonus · salary · deferred compensation · signing bonus · equity
velvet handcuffsjob flexibility
Adjustable employment conditions
free agency · at-will employment · financial independence · economic freedom · golden parachute
velvet handcuffsintrinsic motivation
Desire from within oneself
meaningful work · job satisfaction · calling · vocation · labor of love
velvet handcuffsiron chains
Metal restraints with links
ball and chain · indentured servitude · forced labor · debt bondage · slave wages
velvet, handcuff, velvets, velvety, velveted, handcuffs, handcuffed, handcuffing, hand