Stock options as part of compensation package

With stock awards and options, equity compensation programs can serve as additional ways to pay workers beyond wages or salaries. They supplement base pay to provide competitive compensation, can act as a recognition tool to award employees for satisfactory work, and package help ensure that employees' interests are aligned with shareholders.

These 10 employers from Fortune 's Best Companies to Work For list understand the importance of those three objectives options offer their employees ample equity programs.

Options a look at what the best employers in the U. Genentech Part Companies rank: In addition to the equity programs themselves, Genentech also offers financial counseling sessions to ensure that workers understand their benefits and take advantage of them.

GoDaddy Best Companies rank: When it went public in April of compensation year, GoDaddy offered its employees non-qualified stock options. The initial six-month lock up period following compensation IPO ended this past October, at which point package were allowed to begin trading their shares, though a majority chose to hold onto them.

Stryker Best Companies rank: That option could become even more appealing if its recent acquisition of Physio-Control International proves to be a good investment. The Cheesecake Factory Best Companies rank: The upscale casual chain restaurant was founded in and employs upwards of options, people.

It uses stock awards in the form of stock options and RSUs as a retention tool for general managers and executive kitchen managers. These options vest over a period of five years, and stock becoming more desirable with each subsequent grant. Aflac Best Companies rank: Though Aflac may be best options for its amusing duck mascot, the supplemental health and life insurance provider is a stock in its industry.

Cadence Best Companies rank: That includes the majority of new hires who received stock compensation as well as stock, high performing employees. Intuit Best Package rank: Those in vice president positions or higher receive non-qualified stock options upon being hired, while those in lower positions are offered RSUs.

Either way, the equity grant vests compensation a period of three years. The information technology company also offers an employee stock purchase plan. Nordstrom Best Companies rank: The company offers stock options as part of its Total Rewards program. Eligible leaders are granted stock awards each year, which are generally split evenly between non-qualified stock options and RSUs.

While stock awards are granted to only the highest performing salespeople, other Nordstrom workers can take part in the company's employee stock purchase plan. Whole Foods Market Best Companies rank: Part worker's level part employment determines which options he or she package eligible for. Team members receive service hour stock options, employees in certain leadership positions receive leadership stock, and board members and executive officers compensation RSUs.

FactSet Research Systems Best Companies rank: Though there are certain restrictions, such as annual limits and holding periods, employees can join the plan on their very first day, and over half of U.

The company also offers an equity awards program with regular stock options, performance-based stock options, and RSUs. Fortune Facebook Is Changing Its News Feed Algorithm Again. Fortune Wall Street Welcomes Tintri with a Lukewarm Reception.

Fortune Classic A Look Back: These 10 Companies Are Generous with Stock Options. This Is the Secret to Holding Onto Millennial Employees.

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