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United Kingdom
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Key definition
Employee definition

What does Employee mean? Describes an individual engaged under a contract of employment (a contract of service) who enjoys the fullest employment law protections, such as unfair dismissal, redundancy pay, statutory notice and much family leave. In practice, employee status is determined by legislation read with case law on the reality of the relationship, typically examining personal service (no unfettered substitution right), employer control, and mutuality of obligation, alongside integration and other indicia. In England & Wales and Scotland, the Employment Rights Act 1996 defines an employee as an individual who has entered into or works under (or, where employment has ceased,...

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UK Employee Share Schemes: Objectives, Types, Tax Treatment, Advantages, Disadvantages and Practice

Practice notes
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Why not just reward staff with cash?

Paying cash can be a straightforward, less onerous way to recognise and incentivise employees. However, this Practice Note explores the advantages and disadvantages of share schemes as a broad concept. For fuller guidance on the pros and cons of each specific scheme, see Practice Note: The advantages and disadvantages of each share incentive arrangement.

This Practice Note covers:

  • why companies implement share schemes
  • what types of share schemes exist
  • the advantages of share schemes (from both company and employee perspectives)
  • the disadvantages of share schemes (from both company and employee perspectives)
  • use of share schemes

Why do companies implement share schemes for their employees?

There are many reasons why companies choose to introduce employee share schemes, and these often reflect the organisation’s size and its particular objectives...

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Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

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