Most OpenAI Employees Did Not Want To Work For Microsoft, As It Would Have Meant Losing Out On Several Benefits, Claims New Report

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A ton of drama unfolded in the technology sector recently, with OpenAI, the hottest startup at this time, had its CEO, Sam Altman, abruptly fired, then reinstated a few days after. Following the Chief Executive’s removal, several OpenAI employees revolted, threatening to join Microsoft if OpenAI’s board remained firm on their decision, but according to the latest report, it was actually a bluff to force the firm to bring back Altman. As it turned out, most OpenAI employees did not want to work for Microsoft, as it would have resulted in the loss of significant perks and other reasons.

There was relief among OpenAI staffers that they did not have to jump ship to Microsoft, with Business Insider reporting that several employees, both former and current, have stepped forward, stating that joining the software giant was only a bluff in an attempt to reinstate Altman back to the position of CEO. One major reason for not joining Microsoft was that OpenAI employees would miss out on a ton of perks, ranging from a lucrative salary to equity in the company and a tender offer.

Base salaries at OpenAI typically start from $300,000, with an equity package worth $2 million over four years, with some workers getting much more. Even though Microsoft agreed to hire all OpenAI employees at the same compensation level, there was only a verbal agreement involved and nothing that was legally binding at the time. One employee also believed that it was unlikely that Microsoft would pay departing staff members for the equity that they would have lost had they joined the technology giant.

The tender offer would also have been canceled, and that equity would have been worth nothing. A current OpenAI employee says that no one wanted to work at