Employee shares
ThyssenKrupp employee share program 2008
In spring 2008, around 80,000 employees at the German subsidiaries were offered the opportunity to acquire ThyssenKrupp shares at special rates for the sixth time. The participation rate of 59% was a new record.
Around one in two employees also participated in each of the previous programs (in 2001, 2004 to 2007).
The offer was based on the 50/50 model: employees can purchase ThyssenKrupp shares up to a value of €270 and pay only half themselves – i.e. up to €135. The company pays the other half.
Under German tax law (§ 19 a Income Tax Act (EStG)), the 50% employer contribution is free of tax and social security contributions up to €135. The share program exploits this legal framework in full.
Employee shares outside Germany
The ThyssenKrupp employee share program has also been expanded step by step to include European locations outside Germany. National programs have now been carried out in France, Spain and the United Kingdom. The participation rate in these countries is between 20 and 51%.
The inclusion of further European countries is currently being reviewed.
As very different framework conditions need to be taken into account in each country, there is no standardized ThyssenKrupp employee share program. Each country's program needs to be adapted to national circumstances. However, the following regulations on the issue of employee shares apply internationally:
- Employees are given the opportunity to purchase ThyssenKrupp shares are a reduced price.
- The maximum employer allowance is 50% of the share price and may not exceed €135.