GEO INSIGHTS

TotalEnergies has approved significant initiatives to enhance employee shareholder ownership, including allocating 100 shares to each of its 100,000 global employees, representing a historic gesture on the occasion of the company's 100-year anniversary. The company also plans a capital increase with a 30% discount for employees, reinforcing its commitment to employee shareholding, which already ranks it as the top European firm in this regard. With over 65% of its employees already shareholders, TotalEnergies aims to further solidify its value sharing policy, emphasizing sustainability and employee engagement.

Approximately 4,000 Silicon Valley Bank employees are poised to receive $25 million from a previously inaccessible employee stock purchase program, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The FDIC confirmed that the remittance would occur shortly, alleviating a month and a half of uncertainty since the bank's closure. The funds, which were held by the bank before its collapse, won't draw from the government's deposit insurance fund and were originally part of an employee stock purchase plan allowing contributions of up to $25,000.

Rubrik made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange at $38 a share, surpassing its initial pricing of $32, resulting in a fully diluted valuation of $6.6 billion. Despite the stock settling at $37 at the end of trading, Rubrik's strong subscription revenue and venture capital backing, particularly from Lightspeed and Greylock, indicate investor confidence despite the company's ongoing losses. While Rubrik's IPO performance aligns with recent successful listings, uncertainties in the market, including potential delays in interest rate cuts, may affect future IPO momentum.

Former HR director Jane Davies claimed that Post Office CEO Nick Read's persistent demands for a pay rise and threats to resign consumed her work, with emails from Read describing his bonus situation as intolerable. Despite earning £2.28m since 2020, including a £455,000 bonus for 2021/22, Read's demands were a distraction from addressing compensation for victims of the Horizon scandal. Experts suggest formalized policies, including involvement from HR, trade unions, and remuneration committees, to mitigate conflicts arising from executive pay negotiations.

Room & Board, a Minneapolis-based furniture retailer, has transitioned to a 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), granting their 1,100 employees a financial stake in the company, reinforcing its commitment to American craftsmanship and staff well-being. Founded in 1980, Room & Board's success, with annual sales exceeding half a billion dollars, is attributed to its dedication to quality craftsmanship and exceptional service, alongside a focus on staff welfare. The decision to become 100% employee-owned aligns with the company's values of respect, transparency, and collaboration, demonstrating its commitment to preserving its culture while fostering a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Boeing's CEO Dave Calhoun and former Executive Vice President Stan Deal, despite announcing their departures amid scrutiny over manufacturing flaws, stand to collect a combined $45 million in compensation. They won't likely face internal clawback policies since they weren't fired due to quality management issues. However, shareholders are expected to approve a proposal tying executive compensation to safety improvements, as Boeing faces intense scrutiny following incidents like a door panel detaching from a 737 Max 9 jet. The company's compensation structure is being retooled, and leadership changes are expected to address concerns and improve performance.

GTT announces the launch of its international employee shareholding plan, offering nearly 720 employees the opportunity to become shareholders. The plan, available in several countries, allows employees to subscribe to GTT shares at a discounted price of 111.20 euros, subject to a five-year lock-up period. Shares will be subscribed through direct shareholding or employee shareholding funds, with the subscription period running from April 25 to May 14, 2024, and settlement-delivery scheduled for June 18, 2024.

Imagine getting a job offer from your dream company, but they refuse to disclose the currency of your salary—this is how the startup equity compensation market often operates. Employers offer stock options or RSUs without revealing the total number of company shares, leaving employees uncertain about their actual ownership stake. Current regulations do not require startups to provide comprehensive valuation information, leading to an overestimation of equity grants and undermining the high-tech labor market's competitiveness.

President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of worker share ownership schemes for economic transformation, stating that giving workers a stake in corporate decision-making fosters innovation, morale, and builds a resilient economy. Speaking at the inaugural Worker Share Ownership Conference, he highlighted that Employee Share Ownership Plans (ESOPs) can deepen workers' understanding of business challenges and opportunities, promoting growth, investment, and job creation. He also stressed that these initiatives not only advance social justice but make sound business sense, helping to equitably distribute the benefits of economic progress across society.