Fairly amazing email conversation I just had

[perldiver]

There's a startup advertising through my social graph; they sounded somewhat interesting and I'm looking around for work, so I reached out.  I explained my CV and asked some questions about the job.  Here's the ensuing conversation; it's condensed a bit, but all of their words are direct quotes.

Them: Our ideal person wouldn't need a salary.

Me:

Comments

[zzbottom]

I suspect that person is going to get quite tired of having to have that conversation.

[perldiver]

I hope so. The whole "working for equity" thing is an utter scam.

[perldiver]

Yeah, I've considered posting this on my Facebook as well. My FB account is connected to a large number of people who are in the general sphere that this person moves in, so if I post it there the person in question will hear about it. On the one hand it would give me satisfaction to publicly call them out. On the other, there's a risk of blowback from mutual connections and, really, what difference would it make? I'm not going to change their opinion or their actions. Most of the people who would see it are not involved in the startup community in any way. Who will be positively affected by my message?

[zzbottom]

I keep coming back and re-reading this. I get more and more irritated on each pass-through. The whole thing just turns my stomach.

[perldiver]

Thanks. It's good to know it's not just me.

[agrumer]

Wait, by “wouldn’t need a salary,” do they mean they’re looking for a contract worker, or wishing for a pro-bono volunteer?

[perldiver]

They want someone who will be a full-time employee, but who is willing to work for equity and not money. This is a stupid deal for any employee; the opportunity cost on that equity is orders of magnitude greater than its expected value.

[agrumer]

Is that even legal?!

[perldiver]

I think so? It's pretty common out here.