@w7voa I would say what SpaceX is doing is unusual and punitive - perhaps even of questionable legality. But ultimately employees, especially high level ones, should negotiate on their employment contract or simply refuse to take a job there.

But note, fired employees always have the option to just wait. They can even enter into legally binding agreements with a 3rd party to sell their stock at a certain price should they ever gain control of it - I've had that kind of offer on the table.