[trevelyan]

I agree this guy should be looking for other work, but disagree that working relationships are always inherently manipulative.

The big problem here is the bloated management structure, pre-launch vacations and failures to meet targets, all of which are strong signs the decision makers in the company are bad at their job. This implies that decisions about this person's future compensation and role in the company will be made by a committee that does not understand his value. I think that is the problem more than anything else.

[gaius]

This is not a healthy working relationship - he is being manipulated. The equity participants are on vacation while the sole employee does all the work because they've made vague, non-specific promises that someday maybe he too can join them.