EUROPEANCHAPTER

Employee share ownership plans are widely used in the UK but poorly understood by MPs, and outdated design is contributing to falling participation despite clear benefits for workers, businesses, and productivity. SAYE and SIP schemes in particular have not kept pace with a more mobile workforce, with long lock-in periods and complexity discouraging take-up even as government policy seeks to broaden share ownership. With strong cross-business support and clear economic upside, the new government has a timely opportunity to modernise these plans—such as shortening holding periods—to revitalise employee ownership and inclusive growth.

Around 5,700 Jet2 employees are set to share a £58 million payout as the airline’s first sharesave scheme, launched in August 2022, matures, with returns boosted by an 84% rise in share price. Employees who participated can either hold or sell their shares, with typical investors seeing gains of several thousand pounds depending on their monthly contributions. Following this success, Jet2 has introduced three more sharesave schemes for over 8,900 employees, alongside ongoing salary increases, profit-sharing, and bonus schemes to reward staff for their customer-focused performance.

Despite a year of global economic, political, and environmental challenges, most multinational companies remain committed to employee well-being, offering programs like counseling through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and promoting healthy work-life balance. Encouraging managers to model boundaries and use PTO helps prevent burnout, retain top talent, and support employees with caring responsibilities. Forbes’ 2025 World’s Best Employers ranking, based on surveys of over 300,000 employees in 50+ countries, highlights 900 companies excelling in pay, career growth, work-life balance, and overall reputation.