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As a highly effective way of unifying and engaging a global workforce, it’s never been a better time to launch a global employee share plan.
As the leading global provider of employee share plan services, we shared our experiences of supporting global share plans in our Lessons Learned from a Global Share Plan Rollout webinar. We were joined by Sally Blanchflower and Lorna Parkin, Managing Associates from Tapestry compliance to bring in the advisor’s perspective.
Read our summary of the top 10 tips for a successful global employee share plan launch below. Alternatively, you can watch the full recording.
1. Set clear objectives
Set clear objectives of what you want to accomplish with your global employee share plan. For example, your primary goal could be: › Retention › Reward › Engagement › Unification in a COVID-19 world Each of these are very different, and if you want your plan to be successful, the objectives should strongly influence your plan design and operation.
2. Agree the budget
Deciding and setting your budget is a very important first step to an effective global employee share plan. If you don’t have the budget to award shares, administer the operation or ensure you’re legally compliant, your plan will fail before it has begun. For these reasons, a staged rollout of a global share plan can be highly beneficial.
3. Identify the target population
Decide who in your business you will be targeting. An executive or discretionary award plan doesn’t have to be offered to everyone and can often be more flexible in terms of award type. Whereas an all-employee, or broad-base plan is of course for everyone and usually follows one of the more common design patterns, such as share purchase plan, with a discount or match. Certain types of these plans have strict rules on eligibility, for example, the UK SIP and SAYE generally must be offered to all employees.
4. Consider the incentive effects
The most generous plan doesn’t always mean the most successful. The plan structure, ease of participation and communication can all be equally influential on the incentive effect.
5. Choose from shares or cash
Considering your objectives, think about how important it is to give shares to your employees? Or is it OK to give cash? Whilst most companies aim to deliver shares where possible, ensure you check the local rules, as some countries have securities laws or foreign exchange restrictions that might prohibit this. At the moment, ‘Cash is King’ – so companies are looking to deliver shares wherever possible, and some are even substituting usual cash pay or benefits (e.g. salary) with shares.
6. Assess the regulatory requirements
Be sure to check the applicable regulations in all countries and sectors that you operate in. Tightly governed sectors such as financial services will be more restrictive and some regions like Asia, Africa and Latin America aren’t straightforward - so ensure you know exactly how much you can offer, and where.
7. Understand the tax implications
It is vital to consider the tax implications of your global share plan in all countries. If planned incorrectly, you could leave your participants with a tax charge they can’t afford or weren’t expecting. This is particularly important for an all-employee plan which includes a range of award types e.g. free shares, purchased shares, matching shares - and which might be available to participants who are not normally used to holding shares, and who could potentially be struggling during these unprecedented times. Think also about whether you want to try and achieve a particular tax-qualified status in any jurisdiction – this can be more complicated, but the tax and social security savings for employees and the employer can really be worth it in some countries.
8. Develop engaging communications
Even if you have a great share plan to offer, if you don’t explain it to your employees in a clear, compelling way, it will unlikely have the desired effect. This is the case more than ever now when share price volatility will no doubt be of concern to your employees.
9. Decide on translation needs
It’s always a balance between what’s required, what’s recommended, and what makes the most sense from a consistency perspective within your organisation. Check out the applicable rules and then make an informed decision on what is most appropriate for your company and employee population.
10. Evaluate market practice
Although we all like to be unique, it’s OK, and actually considered good practice, to look at your competitors when deciding on / re-evaluating a global share plan solution. Look at what is, and what isn’t working for them, and get familiar with what employees in your countries and sectors will expect.
Thinking about launching a global share plan?
A new global share plan is always an exciting project for any company. If you don't operate an employee share plan today or you are looking to switch providers, we're here to help.
We have more than 40 years' expertise in managing share plans on a global scale, with 1,500 clients and 3.7 million participants. Whether your company is large or small, our team of expert people can help you unlock all the benefits of an effective employee share plan, without losing focus on your day job.
Intuitive technology
Our share plan platform is easy to use and the most accessible on the market, enabling your participants to manage their shares hassle-free.
Flexible solutions
We listen to your objectives so we can work as your partner to create the right plan for you and your participants.
Engaging communications
Whether you choose one of our off-the-shelf suites or award-winning bespoke designs, we'll tailor your communications to drive employee participation.
Expert people
Our knowledgeable, trusted experts are on hand to support you, share industry best practices and help you get the most out of your share plan.