Equity-based pay arrangements for globally mobile employees result in complex tax and payroll implications to organizations and their employees creating multi-jurisdictional tax compliance obligations and significant risks in the event of potential compliance failures. An increased focus by taxing authorities around the world, together with other significant developments in recent years affecting equity compensation requires that organizations take a proactive, systematic approach to managing these risks. GE has worked with Ernst & Young to implement a scalable solution to address its employer obligations for stock options and RSUs to its globally mobile workforce. This case study will review the tax, technical and process considerations in implementing an automated process for tracking internationally mobile employees and determining the applicable tax withholding obligations in each relevant jurisdiction.

Amit Banker, Senior Manager, Ernst & Young (US)
Michael Bussa, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (US)
Theodore Sadlouskos Jr., Tax Director - Cross Border Issues, General Electric Company (US)
Ann Glackin, Global Equity Specialist, General Electric Company (US)

This panel discussion is anchored by past GEO Award winners in the areas of communication and financial education, including CBS (2008 GEO Award - Best in Financial Education), BAE Systems (2009 GEO Award - Best Plan Communication) and BT (2008 GEO Award - Best Plan Communiction). Each panel member is a truly global company that has demonstrated a commitment to extending share ownership throughout the workforce and communicating via a range of media appropriate for an international audience. Each panel member has a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of communicating the benefits of share ownership to a new population, many of whom have no previous share ownership history. The session will include brief case studies by each member, followed by an open panel discussion on what does and doesn't work.

Jay Foley, Morgan Stanley Smith Batney (UK) 

This session wll discuss the process by which a major non-US corporation introduced a new equity plan for a global population, with particular focus on the requirements that had to be met for participants located in the US. The discussion will include key issues from initial design considerations through to SEC compliance, employee communications, implementation and administration, and more.The session will discuss the process by which a major non-US corporation introduced a new equity plan for a global population, with particular focus on the requirements that had to be met for participants located in the US.  The discussion will be divided into the following sections: 

1. Initial conception of the design of the new plan 
2. Consideration of design modifications to meet US requirements 
3. SEC issues including registration 
4. Drafting of appropriate plan rules and policy documents 
5. Employee communications
6. Addressing s.409A , s.877 and s.162(m) 
7. Implementation and administration 
8. Q&A's

Peter Vassallo, Reward Director - Equity Plans, BP plc (UK)
Jane Klewin, Senior Attorney, BP America Inc. (US)

The new SEC proxy disclosure requirements and corporate governance changes will have a significant effect upon public company executive pay practices in the US. Congress' position to give shareholders an advisory vote on executve compensation will impose other restrictions on pay practices. This session will discuss many of the changes that will affect pay practices and the disclosure of those practices in 2010 and beyond.

Mary Samsa, Attorney, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (US)
Ana Rodriguez, SVP of HR, Molex Incorporated (US)
Ted Ginsburg, Senior Director, BDO Seidman, LLP (US)

This session will address several issues from the perspective of Unilever, in the implementation of their global equity compensation programs. Key topics include: tax, securities and exchange control issues; age discrimination and employment law issues; sections 409A and 457A of the US Internal Revenue Code; and maintaining consistency on a global basis while still respecting local practices.

Zaitun Poonja, Partner, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP (US)
Mims Zabriskie, Partner, Morgan Lewis & Bockius (US)
Joan Kalmans, Director of Global Share Plan Management, Unilever (US)