Ask HN: Should I continue to work for free?
The startup has received funding totalling around $600k USD over 2 rounds. Since the 1st round of funding, the full-time two co-founders and designer have been receiving a (low) salary, but a salary nonetheless. Having recently received a second round, this is likely to increase.
After my first 6m, I was entitled to options and told I would be sent the details and confirmation shortly. I chased this up last week (18m later), and was told they hadn't implemented a benefits scheme so hadn't been formally allocated anything, but that it was being worked on.
After the second round of funding, I advised them that they should get a full-time CTO. The new CTO starts in 2 weeks time and is on decent money. The intention is that I stay on in an advisory role.
Another guy in the team in a similar position (he has done unpaid work, but invested less time than I) recently enquired as to whether in light of investment, we would receive any bonuses. The CTO answered that he would like to offer us something, that the investors may not be willing, but that we should find out in the next month or so.
I am still being asked to do work. Should I do it? So far, I have received no cash or shares. They have hired a well paid CTO to do my job full-time. I feel like I have been taken advantage of, but am not sure if it's worth holding out given that I may receive some payment and be allocated options.
Seeing others being paid for their work while I am essentially working on a voluntary basis is very demotivating.
Advice would be appreciated!