Employee Shareholder Agreement Template for Switzerland

The Employee Shareholder Agreement is a crucial document used when companies in Switzerland wish to grant equity participation to their employees as part of their compensation or retention strategy. This agreement becomes necessary when an organization wants to align employee interests with company growth while protecting corporate interests through appropriate restrictions and conditions. The document combines elements of Swiss employment law, corporate law, and securities regulations to create a comprehensive framework governing the employee's dual role as both staff member and shareholder. It typically includes provisions for share acquisition, vesting conditions, transfer restrictions, and consequences of employment termination. This agreement is particularly important in startups, scale-ups, and established companies offering employee share ownership programs, and must comply with Swiss federal and cantonal requirements regarding both employment relationships and share ownership.

1. Parties: Identification of the company, the employee-shareholder, and any other relevant parties

2. Background: Context of the agreement, employment relationship, and share acquisition

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement, including share-related terminology

4. Share Subscription/Allocation: Details of shares being issued/transferred, including number, class, and price

5. Payment Terms: Terms for payment of shares, including any financing arrangements

6. Relationship with Employment: Link between employment status and shareholding rights

7. Share Transfer Restrictions: Limitations on transfer of shares, including lock-up periods and permitted transfers

8. Good Leaver/Bad Leaver Provisions: Consequences of employment termination on shareholding

9. Tag-Along and Drag-Along Rights: Rights and obligations in case of company sale or third-party offers

10. Shareholder Rights: Voting rights, dividend rights, and other shareholder privileges

11. Confidentiality: Protection of company and shareholder confidential information

12. Tax Obligations: Tax responsibilities and implications for both parties

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction: Specification of Swiss law application and dispute resolution

14. General Provisions: Standard boilerplate clauses including notices, amendments, and severability