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Note 8 - Stock Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Text Block]

Note 8 – Stock Based Compensation

Employee Stock Incentive Plan

In December 2019, our Board approved the 2019 HireQuest, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”). Subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the 2019 Plan, no more than 1.5 million shares of common stock are available in the aggregate for the grant of awards under the 2019 Plan. No more than 1 million shares may be issued in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options. In addition, no more than 250 thousand shares may be issued in the aggregate to any employee or consultant, and no more than 50 thousand shares may be issued in the aggregate to any non-employee director in any twelve-month period. Shares of common stock available for distribution under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares reacquired by the Company in any manner. The 2019 Plan was approved by our shareholders in June 2020 and became effective as of that date.

In September 2019, our Board approved a share purchase match program to encourage ownership and further align the interests of key employees and directors with those of our shareholders. Under this program, we will match 20% of any shares of our common stock purchased on the open market by or granted in lieu of cash compensation to key employees and directors up to $25 thousand in aggregate value per individual within any calendar year. These shares vest on the second anniversary of the date on which the matched shares were purchased if the individual is still employed by the Company or still serves as a director and certain other vesting criteria are met. During 2023, we issued 9,375 shares valued at approximately $158 thousand under this program. During 2022, we issued approximately 10 thousand shares valued at approximately $155 thousand under this program.

In 2023, we issued 12,498 shares of restricted common stock pursuant to the 2019 Plan valued at approximately $231 thousand to members of our Board of Directors for their services in lieu of cash compensation. Of these, 10,413 shares vested equally over the three months post grant. The remaining 2,085 shares were issued pursuant to our share purchase match program. Also in 2023, we issued 6,131 shares pursuant to our share purchase match program related to open market purchases by members of our Board of Directors.

Also in 2023, we issued 65,431 shares of restricted common stock pursuant to the 2019 Plan valued at approximately $1.3 million to key employees for their services in lieu of cash compensation. Of these, 9,272 shares were issued to our CEO and vest equally over the three months post grant. Of the remaining shares, 55,000 vest over 4 years and 1,159 shares were issued pursuant to our share purchase match program and vest the second anniversary of the date of grant.

In 2022, we have issued 35,606 shares of restricted common stock pursuant to the 2019 Plan valued at approximately $536 thousand to members of our Board of Directors for their services in lieu of cash compensation. Of these, 33,379 shares vested equally over the following three months. The remaining 2,227 shares were issued pursuant to our share purchase match program.

Also in 2022, we have issued 104,871 shares of restricted common stock pursuant to the 2019 Plan valued at approximately $1.6 million to key employees for their services in lieu of cash compensation. Of these, 41,066 shares vested equally over the following three months. Of the remaining 63,805 shares, 50,000 were issued to our CEO pursuant to his employment contract and vest over 4 years, and 3,805 shares were issued pursuant to our share purchase match program. In addition, we issued 28,735 shares of restricted common stock pursuant to the 2019 Plan valued at approximately $537 thousand to the vast majority of our workforce for services and to encourage retention. These shares vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

The following table summarizes our restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2021, and changes during the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023 (number of shares in thousands):

		*Shares*				*Weighted average grant date price*
Non-vested, December 31, 2021			196				11.26
Granted			173				15.97
Vested			(167	)			11.46
Non-vested, December 31, 2022			202				15.15
Granted			79				19.43
Vested			(126	)			15.50
Non-vested, December 31, 2023			155				17.52

At December 31, 2023, there was unrecognized stock-based compensation expense totaling approximately $1.6 million relating to non-vested restricted stock grants that will be recognized over the next 3.9 years.

Stock options that were outstanding at Command Center were deemed to be issued on the date of the Merger. Outstanding awards continue to remain in effect according to the terms of the 2008 Plan, the 2016 Plan, and the corresponding award documents. There were approximately 13 thousand stock options vested at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. All outstanding stock options were vested at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. There were no options issued in 2023 or 2022.

The following table summarizes our stock options outstanding at December 31, 2021, and changes during the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023 (number of shares in thousands):

		*Number of shares underlying options*				*Weighted average exercise price per share*				*Weighted average grant date fair value*
Outstanding, December 31, 2021			13			$	5.47			$	2.98
Granted			-				-				-
Outstanding, December 31, 2022			13				5.47				2.98
Granted			-				-				-
Outstanding, December 31, 2023			13				5.47				2.98

The following table summarizes additional information about our outstanding stock options, and reflects the intrinsic value recalculated based on the closing price of our common stock of $15.35 on December 29, 2023 (number of shares and intrinsic value in thousands):

		*Number of shares underlying options*				*Weighted average exercise price per share*				*Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)*				*Aggregate intrinsic value*
Outstanding			13			$	5.47				4.23			$	128
Exercisable			13				5.47				4.23				128