More Workers Receiving Stock Options

There was an increase of more than 50% in the number of workers made eligible to receive stock options in 1999. Watson Wyatt Worldwide's Survey of Top Management Compensation released earlier this month found that some 19% of workers were eligible to receive stock options in 1999 compared with 12% a year ago. The average salary at which someone became eligible for stock options: $58,100. The survey found that the average stock option for managers and executives was $681,000; for CEOs, it was $3.2 million. Nearly 70% of senior executives received bonuses in 1999, with the average bonus amounting to 35% of their salary.