Define "guaranteed".
Because unless they actually pay you that money in advance, its most likely not guaranteed in the event the company goes belly up.
Because unless they actually pay you that money in advance, its most likely not guaranteed in the event the company goes belly up.
I expect a founder to normally guarantee 6 months, or 12 months or 24 months of payment before hiring someone depending on the situation at time of hire. This is the only way I would hire anybody.
Frankly I find it misplaced for a hired employee to have to worry about intricate details about company's runway and other risks etc. Its not your problem. If you are expected to own that as your problem then you might as well offer to be a founder and get proper stock.
If you enter into a legally binding document with the company that says you'll be paid no matter what, that still means nothing if there's no money.