He wanted to know what their alternatives were.
Many companies make stock options or discounted stock available to their employees.
When the time comes for the options to be exercised, most people are not sure what they should do. They are not sure how to exercise the options. They don't know whether to take the money in cash or exercise the options and hold the company's stock. My friend's situation is not unique. In today's economic environment most people seem to be exercising their options and taking the cash.