[nrmitchi]

It’s kind of different when that decision is saying to your boss “Naww, I don’t think I’m going to take the offer that the CEO was bragging about on Twitter. I guess I just don’t believe in the company enough.”

It may not be perfectly valid, but it’s very easy to see how someone could feel like they didn’t really have a choice if they didn’t want to sabotage their position and future at the company.

[hamburglar]

That’s quite a stretch. They set up a plan you’d have to opt into. They don’t stand around waiting for a rationale from everyone who didn’t take them up on it. You still have your options so you’re not telegraphing a lack of faith in the company. It’s absurd to think management is going, “gee, Joe didn’t take this potentially risky option after the consultation. He’s not a team player.”

[tekknik]

That is not at all a stretch and is slightly offensive that you used the word “stretch” here given what that word is supposed to mean. This is a perfectly valid concern where many people will be pressured into complying.

[hamburglar]

Except if you don’t take the loan, you are still betting big on the company by staying around for stock options. There is zero reason to think this shows lack of faith in the company. This is on the level of thinking you’re going to get fired if you don’t buy a red BMW because all the execs have red BMWs and got a local dealer to offer a good deal to all the employees.