Over the past two years, we've experienced the Great Resignation and the Great Reset due to COVID-19. Now, companies are focused on the challenges and opportunities of AI, hybrid working, and skills shortages.

This session considers whether UK-based and global companies are looking for alternative sources of labor as they plan for the future.

Attendees will learn:

• The impact of inflation and cost of living crisis on global equity plans
• What the best employers are doing to attract, retain, incentivize and reward talent
• What the future of work looks like including the impact of AI on the labour market and employer proposition to employees

Corporate transactions can have knock-on effects for outstanding equity awards and plans.

This session explores best practice on the approach and communication of these changes to awards, including the administrative and timing challenges encountered when reflecting award adjustments on broker platforms.

The expert panel will discuss their experiences, including managing awards during the re-domiciliation from a UK to a US parent company, and the equity award challenges resulting from a $11.7 billion acquisition.

Attendees will learn:

• The common pitfalls when adjusting awards post-transaction including which transactional adjustments can trigger tax and regulatory issues for issues that have granted in multiple countries
• How to provide accurate, bespoke, meaningful and concise communication of the changes to participants
• How to prepare equity award databases to reflect adjusted awards, dealing with rounding and black-out periods

US-listed companies, including both US-based issuers and foreign private issuers, are required to adopt the SEC-mandated clawback policy by August 8. This policy applies to all companies listed on US stock exchanges such as NYSE or Nasdaq.

In addition to adopting a compliant policy, companies, especially non-US companies, must implement additional procedures to determine which employees fall under its scope and to ensure policy enforcement.

This panel discussion will delve into the practical implications of these new requirements, particularly for global companies. The expert panel will explore how these requirements align with other evolving practices on clawback and malus provisions in international jurisdictions.

Attendees will learn:

• • Valuable insights on navigating these changes and aligning your company's practices with global standards for all companies listed on US stock exchanges, including US-based issuers and foreign private issuers
• • The practical implications of implementing additional procedures to determine employee scope and ensure policy enforcement
• • The alignment of these requirements with evolving practices on clawback and malus provisions in international jurisdictions

With global employee populations on the rise, so is the demand for globally compatible compensation plans. As issuing various forms of equity compensation from foreign plans to employees becomes more common, it is important to carefully review the plans prior to issuance.

When expanding a share scheme into new territories, an appendix will usually suffice to ensure the plan meets the respective domestic country's tax efficient rules, but our panel has encountered some common issues affecting employees in Canada, the UK and the US.

Attendees will learn:

• The current taxation rules and issues which require close attention when reviewing foreign plans
• Simple fixes and discuss the issues that may not be possible to fix in each country
• How to navigate new UK legislation to ensure the foreign plan is compliant

While rising stock values are generally seen as positive, companies that have high stock prices and offer broad equity to their employees may face certain challenges. One such challenge arises during sell-to-cover tax withholding at vesting events, where participants are typically required to sell a whole share on the market to generate cash for tax payment, with the remaining amount being paid to the employee. However, many employees would prefer to keep the remaining value in company shares instead of receiving cash for the difference.

Hear experts from Amazon, Microsoft, and Moss Adams share their insights and describe the journey towards implementing a fractional share at vest offering. Their innovative approaches allow participants to sell only a portion of a share to cover their tax obligations at vesting, enabling employees to retain a higher ownership stake in the company. This strategic shift offers numerous advantages to employees, empowering them to benefit from increased company ownership while effectively managing their tax liabilities.

Attendees will learn:

• The rationale for allowing Fractional Shares at vesting
• The journey to implementing Fractional Shares at vesting
• Lessons learned and initial perspectives on the implementation process

This illuminating session will shine a spotlight and explore the role of equity in the GEIS 2023 survey’s key emerging topics: Equity in Talent, Investor Relations, and Global Mobility.

The expert panel will dive deep into these special focus areas, gaining valuable insights and practical strategies to explore how equity can be a powerful tool in shaping successful organizations in an increasingly competitive and globalized world.

Attendees will learn:

• Talent and Markets: Explore talent war and market volatility's impact on equity compensation for attracting and retaining top talent
• Investor Relations: Discover the role of equity compensation in transparent communication and enhancing company performance
• Equity and Global Mobility: Navigate complexities in cross-border talent attraction through equity compensation

Gen Z accounts for approximately 61 million people in the US entering the workforce. This segment of the workforce has lived a much different life than their parents and other millennials. Companies looking to recruit, engage, and retain must adjust their tactics. In a post-COVID environment, Gen Z is facing rising costs of living, stagnant incomes, and a mountain of student loan debt causing financial stress. To meet the demands of Gen Z workplace demands, companies must understand their top concerns and address them accordingly. Priorities include a good work-life balance, opportunities for learning and development, focus on diversity and promote from within, meaningful work, and a commitment to fair compensation.

Equity is a critical component of the employee journey and experience. However, ensuring its relevance with your workforce and driving desired outcomes requires a thoughtful approach. The expert panel will delve into the evolving expectations of employees, understanding how equity fits seamlessly within the broader reward and compensation package. Explore the goals and impacts of various equity programs and gain insights into the crucial role of communication, engagement, and education throughout the employee journey. Join the session to uncover strategies that align equity practices effectively and optimize their impact on employee satisfaction and organizational success.

Attendees will learn:

• How to integrate equity holistically within the overall reward and compensation package and in line with employee expectations in relation to equity
• The Goals, impacts, and considerations for different types of equity programs
• The importance of communication, engagement, and education in the employee journey.

Discover the challenges and solutions associated with the exponential growth of cross-border employees in the mobile equity landscape. Understand your company's mobile equity risk exposure and address the key concerns impacting your mobile equity program.

Join our expert panel as they share real-life case studies, providing actionable insights to tailor your mobile equity program and mitigate risks effectively.

Don't miss this session to gain valuable tools, identify critical risks, and develop a comprehensive plan to address mobile equity risks within your organization.

Attendees will learn:

• How to assess mobile equity risk and gain tools to create a self-assessment score for your company's mobile equity risk profile
• Uncover potential pitfalls, areas of vulnerability and explore key strategies to identify the most significant risks within your mobile equity program
• Discover a step-by-step process for mitigating and eliminating identified risks as well as effective solutions to safeguard your compensation team, company, and employees

Join this insightful session that delves into the world of broad-based employee equity plans. Through engaging discussions, the expert panel will explore different types of equity plans, and examine other prevalent equity arrangements employed by global companies. In addition to comprehending the inner workings of these plans, the panel will assess participation levels, examine the effects on both employees and employers, and uncover the latest research findings on broad-based employee equity plans.

Attendees will learn:

• About the Exploration of diverse broad-based employee equity plans
• Insights from two North American global companies with distinct ESPPs
• The details of commonly utilized broad-based equity arrangements by global companies