do github employees get microsoft stock – explained

Do GitHub employees get Microsoft stock? — Quick answer

Do GitHub employees get Microsoft stock? Yes. Because GitHub is a Microsoft subsidiary, many eligible GitHub employees receive Microsoft equity in multiple forms: restricted stock units (RSUs) granted in Microsoft (MSFT) shares and the ability to participate in Microsoft’s employee stock purchase plan (ESPP). Exact eligibility, grant amounts, vesting schedules, and tax consequences depend on hire date, employment status, local rules, and the specific award documents.

This article explains the background that creates Microsoft-denominated equity for GitHub staff, the common award types (RSUs, performance awards, and ESPP), typical grant mechanics and vesting, eligibility rules, tax and administration details, and practical considerations for employees. Throughout, the phrase "do github employees get microsoft stock" appears as the core question addressed; readers will learn what to expect, how to enroll, and where to confirm specific terms with HR or plan administrators.

As of January 22, 2026, according to Microsoft investor relations and GitHub benefits documentation, GitHub continues to operate as a Microsoft subsidiary and Microsoft-denominated equity remains the primary equity currency for eligible GitHub employees.

Background

Microsoft acquisition of GitHub (2018)

In 2018 Microsoft announced it would acquire GitHub for $7.5 billion in Microsoft stock. The acquisition closed later that year and established the formal corporate relationship that allows Microsoft to extend stock-based compensation, plan access, and administration to GitHub staff where permitted by plan rules and local laws.

• Acquisition headline: Microsoft agreed to buy GitHub for $7.5 billion in Microsoft stock (announced 2018).
• Why it matters: legal ownership and compensation policy alignment enabled Microsoft-denominated equity for many GitHub employees.

Corporate relationship and reporting

GitHub operates as a subsidiary within the wider Microsoft organization. That organizational arrangement means certain compensation programs, benefit platforms, and equity-award instruments are administered or denominated by Microsoft. As a result, many eligible GitHub employees receive awards that reference Microsoft stock (MSFT) directly or participate in Microsoft-wide plans such as the ESPP and centralized stock administration portals.

Because corporate policy, plan participation, and local laws vary across countries, the practical effect of the corporate relationship differs by employee and by award type.

Ways GitHub employees receive Microsoft stock

When employees ask "do github employees get microsoft stock", they usually mean one of the following award types. Each has different mechanics, vesting, and tax treatment.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

RSUs are the most common equity vehicle for Microsoft-denominated awards to GitHub employees. Typical flows:

• On-hire grants: Many full-time hires receive an initial RSU grant, often specified as a dollar-denominated target that converts to a number of MSFT shares at the grant-date price.
• Ongoing awards: Performance-based or annual equity refresh awards (described below) are commonly issued as Microsoft RSUs for eligible GitHub staff.

Key points about RSUs for GitHub employees:

• The grant is usually expressed as a dollar value (for example, $X,XXX or $XX,XXX worth of MSFT) and then converted into MSFT shares using Microsoft’s grant-date closing price.
• Vesting converts the promise into actual shares; until vest, the RSUs are not tradable.
• Vesting schedules and cliff provisions vary by grant and hire date.

When people search "do github employees get microsoft stock" they are often looking for whether their equity will be denominated in MSFT — RSUs are typically the mechanism that creates that outcome.

Performance stock awards and refreshers

Beyond initial RSU grants, GitHub employees may receive performance stock awards or annual refresh grants. These are often Microsoft-denominated and awarded to recognize performance, retention needs, and market competitiveness.

• Performance awards: Tied to company or individual goals and often paid in MSFT stock if awarded to eligible employees.
• Refreshers (mid-career or annual grants): Issued to maintain competitive total compensation, again commonly denominated in Microsoft stock for eligible staff.

Amounts and eligibility are determined by role, level, performance, and corporate policy.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Another way many GitHub employees get Microsoft stock is via Microsoft’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). Under the ESPP:

• Eligible employees can elect payroll deductions during an offering period to purchase Microsoft shares at a discount (historically commonly 10% in Microsoft’s plan, subject to plan rules).
• Some ESPP designs include a lookback provision (price tested at start or end of offering), which can increase potential benefit.
• Contribution limits and enrollment windows are set by the plan and subject to legal and tax constraints in each country.

When employees ask "do github employees get microsoft stock" they often want to confirm if they can participate in ESPP — in most cases, GitHub employees who are eligible have access to Microsoft’s ESPP via the Microsoft benefits enrollment systems.

Typical grant mechanics and vesting

Grant valuation and conversion to shares

Microsoft-denominated equity grants to GitHub employees are commonly specified in dollar value. At grant, the plan converts the dollar value into a number of Microsoft shares by dividing the grant value by Microsoft’s closing share price on the grant date.

Example (illustrative):

• If an employee receives a $40,000 RSU award and MSFT closing price on grant date is $300, the award converts to 133.333 shares (rounded per plan rules).

This conversion mechanism answers part of the core question "do github employees get microsoft stock" — the grants result in an explicit count of MSFT shares that can be tracked and, when vested, sold or held according to plan rules.

Common vesting schedules

Vesting schedules vary by hire date, grant type, and award terms. Common patterns observed in GitHub/Microsoft contexts include:

• New-hire RSUs: Often a four-year schedule with a one-year cliff for an initial portion (e.g., 25% after year one) followed by regular steps (quarterly or monthly) over the remaining period.
• Performance awards: May vest quarterly or annually over a multiyear period and can carry performance multipliers.
• Refreshers: Typically follow similar multiyear vesting patterns but are grant-specific.

Important caveat: exact vesting terms are spelled out in the award agreement. Employees should reference their grant notice for specific vesting dates and mechanics.

Impacts of transfers, promotions, and internal moves

Moving between GitHub and other Microsoft entities, receiving promotions, or switching roles can affect unvested equity. Common outcomes:

• Internal transfers: Often treated as continued service, but award terms can be modified or new grants issued depending on the move.
• Promotions: May result in additional grants or refreshers; legacy grants typically keep original vesting terms unless adjusted in writing.
• Termination or involuntary separation: Unvested RSUs are generally forfeited unless otherwise specified; vested shares remain the employee’s property but may be subject to post-termination sale or blackout rules.

Because plan rules and corporate policy can change, it’s important to confirm the specific treatment with HR and review the award agreements.

Eligibility and enrollment

Who is eligible (employees vs contractors vs interns)

Eligibility for Microsoft-denominated equity varies. General patterns:

• Full-time employees: Generally eligible for RSUs and ESPP enrollment, subject to local regulations and the hire agreement.
• Contractors and vendors: Typically not eligible for standard RSU awards or ESPP access; exceptions may exist for long-term, full-time-equivalent contractors in specific countries, but these are rare and documented in contract terms.
• Interns and temporary staff: May receive limited awards in some cases, but standard full RSU grants and ESPP access are usually reserved for regular employees.

Practical rule: If you are a W-2/employee (or local-country equivalent) with a full-time offer from GitHub, you are most likely to be eligible for Microsoft-denominated stock awards and ESPP enrollment, but confirmation from HR is required.

How to enroll in ESPP and accept grants

Enrollment and acceptance steps commonly include:

• ESPP enrollment: Elect participation via Microsoft’s benefits portals (for example, through Fidelity/NetBenefits in markets where those administrators operate). Choose contribution percentage and confirm enrollment during the enrollment window.
• Accepting RSU grants: Employees receive a grant notice and must accept the award and any stock plan agreement electronically; acceptance flows are managed via Microsoft’s stock administration platform (often using designated broker portals).

If you’re asked "do github employees get microsoft stock and how do I sign up?" the practical answer is to review your offer package, check the internal benefits portal, and follow acceptance/enrollment prompts or contact HR/compensation for guidance.

Taxation and reporting

Tax treatment of RSUs and ESPP purchases

Taxes vary by jurisdiction. High-level principles common to many countries:

• RSUs: Typically taxed as ordinary income at the time of vesting based on the fair market value of the vested shares. Employers commonly withhold taxes at vest using payroll or share-withholding mechanisms.
• ESPP: Tax treatment depends on whether the plan qualifies under local tax codes. There may be taxable events at purchase, at sale, or both. Qualified plans can offer favorable capital gains timing if holding-period requirements are met.

Employees should consult a tax advisor for jurisdiction-specific treatment. The question "do github employees get microsoft stock" naturally leads to tax considerations — getting MSFT shares can create immediate tax obligations when RSUs vest.

Withholding and payroll implications

Common practices include:

• Tax withholding on RSU vest: Employers withhold a portion of vested shares or cash to satisfy tax obligations (the plan administrator’s method is specified in the award agreement).
• Payroll deductions for ESPP: Contributions are deducted pre-tax or after-tax depending on plan design and local law; participants monitor payroll to ensure correct deduction amounts.

Plan documents and your HR/payroll contact are the primary authorities for withholding mechanics.

Administration and account management

Brokers and portals used (e.g., Fidelity, NetBenefits)

Microsoft historically uses designated administrators and broker platforms (for example, Fidelity/NetBenefits in many markets) to manage equity accounts, ESPP enrollment, and trade execution. GitHub employees with Microsoft-denominated awards typically access their equity information and perform transactions through those designated portals.

When thinking "do github employees get microsoft stock, where will I see it?" the answer is that vested Microsoft shares will appear in the stock plan brokerage account administered by the plan provider.

Selling, transfers, and post-termination handling

Common administrative notes:

• Selling vested shares: Employees can sell vested MSFT shares through the plan’s broker portal; sales may be subject to blackout windows or trading restrictions.
• Broker fees and tax reports: Sales generate tax documents (such as Form 1099-B in the U.S.); broker fees and commission structures are disclosed by the plan’s broker.
• Post-termination handling: Unvested awards are typically forfeited; vested shares remain but employees should check the award terms for any post-termination sale windows or restrictive covenants.

For transactional needs, GitHub employees are often guided to use the plan broker and consult HR for post-termination questions.

Practical considerations for employees

Valuation and dilution considerations

When considering the question "do github employees get microsoft stock", remember the economic reality:

• Equity value depends on MSFT’s market price. Volatility affects the realized dollar amount when awards vest.
• Grant value is often specified in dollar terms, so the number of shares fluctuates with MSFT price at grant date.
• Dilution is a corporate-level phenomenon; individual employees receive a fixed number of shares once converted, but total company share count influences long-term per-share value.

Employees should treat equity as part of total compensation and consider diversification and personal financial planning rather than relying solely on stock appreciation.

Timing and ESPP lookback/discount effects

ESPP mechanics can materially affect purchase gains:

• Discount: Microsoft’s ESPP historically offered a purchase discount (commonly 10%) on the test price, which increases the immediate bargain on purchase.
• Lookback: If the plan includes a lookback to the offering-period start or end price, employees may purchase shares at the lower of the two prices with a discount applied, improving potential upside.

Understanding the dates (offer start, purchase date) helps answer the practical part of "do github employees get microsoft stock" — employees can often buy MSFT at a discount through ESPP.

Negotiation and compensation packaging

Equity is often a negotiable component of offers. When evaluating an offer or asking "do github employees get microsoft stock", candidates should:

• Ask for grant details in writing (value, vesting schedule, cliff, and award type).
• Clarify ESPP eligibility and start date.
• Consider total compensation (base salary, bonus, equity) and request clarifying documentation from HR/compensation.

Carefully reviewing the grant agreement ensures clarity on what "getting Microsoft stock" actually means in dollars and shares.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Do GitHub employees get Microsoft stock if they are contractors?

A: Contractors typically do not receive standard RSU awards or ESPP access. Eligibility depends on contract terms and local law; full-time employee status is the usual requirement for MSFT-denominated equity.

Q: Is the ESPP available immediately upon hire?

A: ESPP availability depends on onboarding timing and plan enrollment windows. Some employees can enroll at the next offering period after hire; others may need to wait until the following enrollment window. Check benefits enrollment guidance in your offer packet.

Q: What happens to RSUs if GitHub reorganizes within Microsoft?

A: Award treatment in reorganizations is governed by the award agreement and corporate policy. In many cases, awards continue under original terms; in some cases, awards can be modified, rolled into new awards, or settled per contractual terms.

Q: How are REFRESHER grants handled?

A: Refreshers are grant-specific and awarded based on performance, level, and competitive needs. They typically follow multiyear vesting patterns and are denominated in Microsoft stock for eligible employees.

Q: Where can I find my award and ESPP enrollment information?

A: Your award notices and ESPP enrollment are accessible through the designated stock plan portal and the Microsoft/GitHub benefits portal. If unsure, contact HR or compensation.

References and further reading

• GitHub Careers — Benefits (GitHub benefits pages describing ESPP access and equity policies). [Report date guidance: refer to the corporate benefits page as of your hire date.]
• Microsoft press release — Microsoft announced the acquisition of GitHub for $7.5 billion in Microsoft stock (announced 2018; acquisition-related filings and press releases dated October 2018). As of October 2018, Microsoft disclosed the transaction amount and stock consideration.
• Microsoft Stock Awards & ESPP plan summaries — public plan summaries and administrator materials (Fidelity/NetBenefits are commonly used administrators in many jurisdictions).
• Community sources (employee discussions on levels.fyi, Blind, and public forums) summarizing RSU mechanics and vesting patterns (useful for anecdotal insight; verify official plan documents for authoritative terms).

As of January 22, 2026, according to Microsoft investor materials and GitHub benefit summaries, Microsoft-denominated equity remains the principal equity currency for eligible GitHub employees. For the most current plan descriptions and numbers, consult your HR/compensation contact and plan administrator.

Notes and caveats

• Plan rules, eligibility, vesting schedules, and tax treatment change over time and can differ by country. The information here is descriptive and educational — it is not tax, legal, or investment advice.
• Always consult official GitHub/Microsoft plan documents and HR/compensation representatives for definitive, personalized information.

Practical next steps for GitHub employees (action items)

• Review your offer letter and grant notice carefully for the specific award type, value, and vesting schedule.
• Log in to the designated stock plan portal (broker) to view grant details and ESPP enrollment options.
• If you plan to buy or sell MSFT shares, consider using a secure wallet for non-custodial holdings and Bitget Wallet when interacting with Web3 tools; for exchange-related trading and fiat access, consider Bitget as the recommended platform in this guide.
• Consult a tax advisor to understand local tax consequences of RSU vesting and ESPP purchases.

Further explore how equity fits into your compensation by comparing base, bonus, and equity values across offers and internal promotion opportunities.

More practical context: market-scale snapshot (for timing context)

• Microsoft acquisition amount: $7.5 billion (purchase of GitHub, announced 2018).
• As of June 30, 2024, Microsoft’s market capitalization was reported in public markets at roughly $2.7 trillion, with average daily trading volume in the tens of millions of shares (figures vary by reporting source). As of January 22, 2026, consult current market data providers for the latest market cap and trading volume numbers.

These market metrics provide context for the dollar-to-share conversions employees see when their RSU awards are granted and converted to MSFT shares.

Final guidance — what to confirm with HR

When you ask "do github employees get microsoft stock" make sure to confirm these items with HR/compensation:

• Exact award type (RSU, performance award, cash bonus replacement), grant value, and vesting schedule.
• ESPP eligibility, discount rate, offering dates, and contribution limits.
• Tax withholding methods and any payroll implications at vest or sale.
• Broker and portal access (who administers your stock plan account and how to access it).

Need hands-on help? Contact your compensation or HR representative for specific grant documents and the stock plan administrator for account-level questions.

Further exploration and help

If you want to learn more about handling vested shares, ESPP strategies, and secure custody for crypto-related assets, explore Bitget educational resources and consider Bitget Wallet for secure management of Web3 assets. For selling or converting equities or fiat access, use Bitget’s trading services as your preferred exchange platform mentioned in this guide.

More practical resources: review your offer, the stock plan portal, and speak to HR/compensation — those are the authoritative sources on what "do github employees get microsoft stock" means for your specific circumstances.

This article is informational, neutral in tone, and does not constitute financial or tax advice. For personal guidance, consult qualified professionals and your employer’s official plan documents.