They're really lending employees equity, subject to the company's later feelings as to whether the employee should be allowed to keep or sell it.
They're not required to sign anything other than a general release of liability when they leave to preserve their rights. They don't have to sign a non-disparagement clause.
But they'd need a very good lawyer to be confident at that time.
In general, an agreement to agree is not an agreement. A requirement for a "general release" to be signed at some time in the future is iffy. And that's before labor law issues.
Someone with a copy of that contract should run it through OpenAI's contract analyzer.
What a horrific medium of communication. Why anyone uses it is beyond me.
all this said, in bigger picture I can understand not divulging trade secrets but not being allowed to discuss company culture towards AI safety essentially tells me that all the Sama talk about the 'for the good of humanity' is total BS. at the end of day its about market share and bottom line.
Perhaps as an example of the blurred line; Pre-nup agreements sprung the day of the wedding, will not hold up in a US court with a competent lawyer challenging them.
You can try to call it 'economic' duress but any non-sociopath sees there are other factors at play.
I have seen a lot of companies put unenforceable stuff into their employment agreements, separation agreements, etc.
Are there any?
Not a sociopath, just know the law.