It depends how you structure the plan. Publix is an example of a privately controlled* company that has wide employee stock ownership. *the stock is held by a

It depends how you structure the plan. Publix is an example of a privately controlled* company that has wide employee stock ownership. *the stock is held by a small group of owners and many employees. Transfers are limited by contract and by securities laws. Because of the large number of shareholders, the company does have to file periodic reports with the SEC but the shares are not listed on an exchange and not available to the public. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publix#Publix_stock http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publix#Publix_stock