Should I leave this employer? (employee, interviews, profit, fund)

[s.lindberg]

Background:
> Finished university (great marks, awards, etc).
> Worked for an electromechanical engineering company for 1.5 years, wanted to move to quantitative finance -- so left.
> Joined a shady start-up as a foot in the door -- worked for 11 months -- got let go just before company went bust; gained a lot of programming knowledge and some in finance.
> For six months sought employment with big-brand high-quality firms where I could work for a number of years to build my career in quantitative finance. Got interviews will all major brands, but lacked math and finance knowledge to succeed / could have done better in mental-math/thinking questions. It will take me at-least another year of part-time self-study to catch up with the knowledge.
> Not successful; reluctantly joined another hedge fund start-up; have been working there for 1 year. Developed software and strategies from scratch. Over time completely lost respect for my employer: his desire to completely strip me of all the IP I brought to the company, bar future employment, lying, dishonesty, litigious nature, reluctance to share any of the profits of my work, forcing to work ridiculous hours, intrusive behaviour, paranoia, monitoring.
> He is uncompromisingly forcing me to sign a toxic contract I do not agree to. At the same time the company is very vulnerable now -- it needs me to launch its first product (which only I fully understand).

Dilemma: Should I (A) issue a revised version of the contract I am happy to agree to and if (most likely) refused -- leave the company? or (B) sign whatever I am given and be an obedient little employee (potentially replaced in the future).

Concerns: If I go with A -- I will have three short stints under my belt. I do not want to be a job hopper. It might take me a very long time to get a job with an established company if ever. If I go with B I could lose hope of ever having my own business (as I am splashing out all of my long-term ideas); once the company is running smooth / product is doing well -- I could be fired. Employer already tried hiring a backup for me, but was unsuccessful.

[Girl]

If you feel the company is unethical, then you need to leave the company.

[Disgustedman]

I'd bring in a contract that suits you (And is NOT extreme) and helps them and say "This is what I'll accept, anything less, I'll quit here and now" then you'd better be prepared to walk.

If you explain that to your next employer that you left the recent company due to ethics they may very well understand.

[annabanana123]

Originally Posted by Disgustedman

I'd bring in a contract that suits you (And is NOT extreme) and helps them and say "This is what I'll accept, anything less, I'll quit here and now" then you'd better be prepared to walk.

If you explain that to your next employer that you left the recent company due to ethics they may very well understand.

This, exactly. Be firm but not rude and be prepared for backlash. But only do this if you're ready to walk.

[BirdieBelle]

If you want to work for a reputable company in a finance job, your priority should be strengthening your finance knowledge and skills.

[Nlambert]

Originally Posted by Disgustedman

I'd bring in a contract that suits you (And is NOT extreme) and helps them and say "This is what I'll accept, anything less, I'll quit here and now" then you'd better be prepared to walk.

If you explain that to your next employer that you left the recent company due to ethics they may very well understand.

This.


Further, if you don't want to be a job hopper then you may need to revisit your approach at looking for new jobs and avoid these jobs with high volatility. You may not be able to start out in quantative finance since you lack the knowledge/skills. You may need to temper your expectations and start out lower on the totem pole and work your way into it.

[sheerbliss]

I'd get a lawyer or CPA to help write up the contract.