Few events take their toll on a start-up company more than when a Grunt leaves. It is highly disruptive. Sometimes they are no longer interested in the project or no longer share the vision. Other times they have other obligations, such as family, that forces them back in to day jobs and sometimes the Grunt isn't a good fit with the herd and has to be asked to leave.
When a Grunt leaves the herd either by choice or by force, great care must be taken to treat the Grunt fairly. Even if the Grunt is being fired for being a total jerk there is still proper and fair treatment. If, as the herd's leader, you treat a departing Grunt unfairly, you will do damage to the entire herd. The last thing you want is a herd of disgruntled Grunts.
Besides treating a Grunt with
dignity and respect, fair treatment includes how much pie a
departing Grunt is or is not entitled to as well as what the
company is entitled to in terms of pie buy-back or non-competition.
When a Grunt leaves and keeps his or her pie they will become an
absentee owner which, as mentioned before, is something to avoid if
possible and fair.
Determining who is entitled to what will depend largely on the circumstances of their departure. There are three main reasons a Grunt will leave the herd: