Advantages of Restricted Stock Units
1. Alignment of Interests: RSUs align the interests of employees with those of shareholders, as employees benefit directly from increases in the company’s stock price. This can motivate employees to work towards the company’s long-term success and performance.
2. Retention Tool: RSUs can serve as a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent. By offering RSUs as part of an employee’s compensation package, companies can incentivize employees to stay with the organization over the long term, as the RSUs typically vest over a multi-year period.
3. Simplicity and Transparency: RSUs are often simpler and more transparent than other forms of equity compensation, such as stock options. Since RSUs represent actual shares of company stock, employees do not need to worry about exercising options or understanding complex option pricing models.
4. No Out-of-Pocket Cost: Unlike stock options, which may require employees to purchase shares at a predetermined price, RSUs are typically granted to employees at no out-of-pocket cost. This makes RSUs particularly attractive for employees who may not have the financial resources to exercise options.
5. Immediate Value: RSUs have immediate value from the moment they vest, as employees become owners of company stock. This can provide employees with a sense of ownership and pride in the company’s success, even before they sell the shares and realize a financial gain.