Stock purchase plan

Stock purchase plan

A plan allowing employees of a company to purchase shares of the company, often at a discount or with matching employer funds.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

An employee benefit in which employees are issued or sold shares in the publicly-traded company for which they work after a certain number of days of employment. ESOPs are designed to give employees equity in the company to boost morale and thereby improve productivity. ESOPs receive various tax benefits, and may give employees a greater say in the election of the board of directors.