Employee Share Ownership Trust


Employee Share Ownership Trust

An employee benefit in which employees are sold shares in the publicly-traded company for which they work through a trust. ESOTs are designed to help give employees equity in the company to boost morale and thereby improve productivity. It also provides the company with a source of revenue. Buying shares through an ESOT gives employees various tax benefits, and may give employees a greater say in the election of the board of directors. It is similar to, but different from, an employee stock ownership plan.