Employee Stock Ownership Plan ESOP) Under the most basic form of employee stock ownership plans (ESOP),a corporation contributes shares of its own stock-or cash to be used to purchase stock-to a trust,one established to purchase shares of the firm's stock for employees. 6Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Under the most basic form of employee stock ownership plans (ESOP), a corporation contributes shares of its own stock—or cash to be used to purchase stock —to a trust, one established to purchase shares of the firm’s stock for employees. 6