[Craig T]

Originally Posted by MRM

The main benefit to line employees when their company goes public is that it gives the company access to additional capital that allows more expansion, promotional opportunities, and puts the company on more solid financial footing, which makes the line positions more secure and might reduce the company's cost of borrowing, which might make room for more generous salaries or benefits. Look at it this way. Employees don't benefit directly when the employer has a good year and is more profitable either, (unless they have profit sharing) but they certainly benefit by having a financially sound employer. Same thing for an IPO. It should put the company in a more financially sound position and give room for expansion. It doesn't put direct dollars in any non-stockholder's pockets.

Also, if the company has a 401(k) plan, they'll probably start contributing company stock at a rate that's favorable compared to what you would buy on the open market.

This^^^^

Most companies will "shelve" some stock to be used as options, restricted share bonuses for executives, and to cover discounted stock purchases for non-exempt employee qualified retirement plans (401k).

If you have faith in the company and it's growth potential, I highly become you allocate at least some of your pre-tax 401k withholdings to purchasing company stock at a discount. Just remember, like all stock investments, diversify. Do not put all your qualified withholdings into the company stock. Lot's of horror stories e.g. Gateway Computers, Conexant.