I don't know what the recruiters are talking about, no new hire gets the payout.

Also, the signing payout likely worked against us as well. If people have a way out and they know they'll get a large sum, they'll vote yes, take the money and run. No reason to vote no, because then you don't get the cash. If the company was smart they would have metered the payout over a year, half each 6 months. That would've lowered the tax burden and made people stick around.

Nope. Short sighted, as usual.