Stock options tied to retention, but employees want more financial guidance

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Stock plan benefits seem to be growing in value as a reason that employees remain with an employer, according to a new survey from Morgan Stanley.

The company’s Annual Stock Plan Participant Survey for 2022 showed that offering a stock plan can help companies attract and retain employees. In this year’s survey, 45% said their current stock plan benefits were a reason they joined their company; 60% said such benefits were a reason they have stayed. And 71% said stock benefits were a way that company can recognize an employee’s accomplishments. These numbers were up from 2021, when the three responses were at 40%, 58%, and 69%, in that order.

“Amid a continuing tight labor market, it is not surprising that while equity valuations have decreased, the value participants place on equity compensation has increased and remains a competitive workplace benefit to attract and retain top talent and drive employee satisfaction,” says Scott Whatley, managing director and global head of equity solutions with Morgan Stanley at Work. “Education and guidance remain key to help both employers and their participants unlock the full potential of their stock plan benefits, as there is no better way to reap the full rewards of your plan than by ensuring the participant population fully understands and embraces it.”