Employee participation: How do you make employees part of your company?
What is employee participation?
Employee participation is a way to engage employees more in the company where they work. It means that employees can financially share in the success of the business. This can be done in different ways, for example by receiving shares, sharing in the profits, or by receiving special rights linked to the company's value. The idea behind employee participation is that if employees benefit from the success of the company, they will also work harder to achieve that success. Moreover, it can help to attract and retain good employees, which is particularly valuable in the current labor market. Employee participation can also foster a stronger sense of belonging within the company, which is beneficial for the atmosphere and collaboration.
Get your employee participation plan. Fixed price, arranged instantly.
- Transparent fixed price – no surprises afterwards
- Personalized plan, fully tailored to your company
- Ready-to-use Word template: buy once, use unlimited for all your employees
Popular forms of employee participation
Shares
One of the most well-known forms of employee participation is giving shares to employees. When an employee receives shares, they become a small co-owner of the company. This means that the employee is entitled to a portion of the profits (dividend) and can benefit if the company increases in value. Common shares also provide voting rights, which means that the employee can participate in important decisions within the company. Some companies choose to issue non-voting shares. In this case, the employee does receive the financial benefits but does not have a say in votes. An advantage of shares is that employees truly feel like co-owners. A disadvantage may be that it can be complicated for small companies to manage this well.
Certificates of shares
Certificates of shares are an alternative to regular shares. In this form, the actual shares are managed by a special foundation, known as a Stichting Administratiekantoor or STAK. The STAK then issues certificates to the employees. These certificates give rights to the financial benefits of the shares, such as dividends and value growth, but not to the voting rights. The voting rights remain with the STAK, which is usually managed by the owners of the company. The advantage of this is that employees can benefit, while the owners retain control over important decisions. A disadvantage is that setting up a STAK costs additional time and money. Good agreements must also be made about how the STAK is managed.
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Stock Appreciation Rights, often abbreviated as SARs or SAR arrangements, are a form of employee participation where employees do not receive actual shares but can still benefit from the company's increase in value. With SARs, an employee is given the right to receive a cash amount later that equals the appreciation of a specific number of shares. For example, if a SAR is granted when the share is worth 10 euros, and later the share is worth 15 euros, then the employee receives 5 euros per SAR as payment. The advantage of SARs is that they are relatively easy to set up, and employees do not have to invest money. A disadvantage may be that employees feel less like 'owners' than with actual shares. SARs are also often only valuable if the company is doing well and the shares are increasing in value.
A great advantage of a SAR arrangement for the employer is that the costs of the SAR are deductible from corporate taxes.
Profit-sharing
Profit-sharing is a form of employee participation where employees receive a portion of the company's profits. This can be arranged in various ways. Some companies choose to distribute a fixed percentage of profits among all employees each year. Other companies tie profit-sharing to individual or team performance. The advantage of profit-sharing is that it is relatively easy to set up, and all employees can immediately benefit if the company does well. A disadvantage may be that the payout can vary each year, depending on how profitable the company is. It can also sometimes be perceived as unfair if some employees work harder than others, but everyone receives the same amount. Profit-sharing can help employees feel more involved in the success of the company as a whole.
Tax aspects
Taxes play an important role in employee participation. When an employee receives shares or other forms of participation, this may be seen as a form of compensation. In that case, payroll taxes often need to be paid. How much tax must be paid depends on the value of what the employee receives. Determining this value can be difficult, especially for companies that are not publicly traded. The tax authorities often use special calculation methods to determine a company's value. One of those methods is the 'Discounted Cash Flow' method, which looks at the expected future profits of the company. It is important to seek good advice about the tax implications of employee participation. Sometimes it is possible to make prior agreements with the tax authorities to prevent surprises later on.
How do you choose the right form?
Choosing the right form of employee participation is customized. What fits best depends on various factors. Firstly, it is important to think about what the company wants to achieve with employee participation. Do you mainly want to bind and reward employees, or do you want them to genuinely think along about the future of the company? The size and life stage of the company also play a role. A startup often has different needs than an established family business. Additionally, it’s essential to consider the wishes and needs of the employees. Some employees find it exciting to truly become co-owners, while others prefer a simpler form of profit-sharing. The administrative burden and costs of setting up and maintaining a participation plan are also crucial considerations. It is wise to seek professional advice when making this choice. A consultant can help list all the pros and cons and ensure that everything is legally and fiscally well arranged.
Do you want to perform an initial check yourself? We’ve created a decision tree for you. Click here to view it.
Conclusion
An employee participation plan can be a powerful tool for motivating and binding employees to your company. It gives employees the feeling that they are truly part of the company and allows them to benefit from its success. There are various forms possible, from distributing actual shares to profit-sharing arrangements. Which form fits best depends on the specific situation of the company and the desires of both owners and employees. It’s important to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of each form and to seek professional advice. While setting up an employee participation plan may require some effort, it can yield many benefits in the long term. It can lead to more engaged and motivated employees, ultimately contributing to the success of the entire company. If you are considering implementing employee participation, it is certainly worth exploring the possibilities and seeing what fits best with your company and employees.
At RoundE, we can help you with these questions. Feel free to contact us for an introductory conversation. This way, you not only secure a motivated leadership team but also a thriving company.
Which participation plan suits your company?
Request a free intake. In 30 minutes we discuss your needs and determine which plan suits your company.
Veelgestelde vragen
Most companies give individual employees less than 5% of the shares. In total, often not more than 20% of all shares are given to employees. This ensures that employees can benefit, but that the original owners retain control over the company. However, the exact percentages may vary by company, depending on the specific situation and objectives.
There are two main ways this can be arranged: 1. The employee pays the full value of the shares themselves. This can be through personal funds or via a loan from the company. 2. The employee pays nothing or less than the actual value. In that case, the difference is seen as a form of compensation (salary in kind), and taxes must be paid on it. Which option is best depends on the situation of the company and the employee. Sometimes a combination is chosen where the employee pays part and receives part as compensation.
Determining the value of a company is often a complicated process, especially if the company is not publicly traded. The tax authorities often use the DCF method (Discounted Cash Flow). This method looks at the expected future profits of the company. Another option is to look at recent sales transactions within the company, if they have occurred. Sometimes comparisons are made with similar companies that are publicly listed. It is important to use a recognized valuation method and to be able to substantiate it, especially if the tax authorities ask questions.
Although you are in principle free to set up an employee participation plan, it is wise to do this carefully. There is a lot involved, both legally and fiscally. It is advisable to seek professional advice, for example from an accountant or a specialized consultant. They can help develop a plan that fits your company and meets all legal requirements. It is also often wise to consult with the tax authorities in advance. This way you can make arrangements about how they will assess the value of the participation. This prevents surprises later on.
The 5% limit is important due to tax reasons. If an employee holds 5% or more of the shares, this is considered a 'substantial interest.' In this case, the interest falls under box 2. By staying below 5%, the interest falls under box 3.
A participation in a company means that you have a financial interest in that company. This can take various forms, such as shares, certificates of shares, or rights to a portion of the profits or appreciation in value. In employee participation, employees receive such an interest in the company where they work, allowing them to benefit from the company's success.
In most cases, no. There are often restrictions on selling shares that employees have received. This can be a certain period during which they must hold the shares or rules about to whom they may sell. These restrictions are in place to prevent employees from quickly making a profit and leaving and to maintain the stability of the shareholder structure.
This depends on the agreements made in the participation plan. Often, the employee has to sell the shares when they leave the company. Sometimes they may keep the shares, but lose certain rights. It is important to understand these rules well before setting up a participation plan.
The price is usually determined according to a pre-agreed method. This could be the last known value of the company, or a new valuation could be made. Sometimes there is a fixed formula, such as a certain multiple of the profits. The precise method is described in the participation agreement.
In principle, no. Participation in an employee participation plan is voluntary. An employer may strongly encourage it but cannot force an employee to invest their own money in the company.
The main risks are financial. If the company does poorly, the value of the shares can decrease. In the worst case, in the event of bankruptcy, employees can lose their entire investment.
This depends on the form of participation and their personal situation. Usually, the profit is taxed in box 3 when they sell the shares. In the case of a SAR or profit-sharing, the profits are taxed in box 1 (income from work and home). It is wise to seek advice from a tax consultant.
Yes, it can. It is up to the company to determine who may participate in the participation plan. Some companies choose to allow only full-time or permanent employees to participate, while others open it up to all employees. This is stipulated in the conditions of the participation plan.
What is an ESOP? And why would you want to set it up?
Learn all about what an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is and the benefits for both employees and employers.
Difference Between Stock and Option Plans
A comprehensible introduction to employee participation via stock and option plans. Discover how it works.
