Who can have stock options that are non-transferable?

Under an Incentive Stock Option (ISO) plan, stock options are designed specifically for employees of the company, and one of the key characteristics of ISOs is that they are typically non-transferable. This non-transferability provision ensures that only the recipient employee can exercise these options, promoting long-term ownership and alignment of employees' interests with those of shareholders.

In contrast, other groups, such as executives or freelance workers, may have different compensation structures or options that might be transferable or subject to different conditions. While all employees may receive stock options, the specific restriction on transferability is particularly associated with ISOs, emphasizing the intention behind this type of plan to retain and reward employees directly involved in the company's operations.