This European tech company plans to reward employees with €20,000 for staying until 2030 as US tech layoffs mount

The global technology industry continues to present two sharply contrasting employment trends. While many US companies are trimming their workforces amid restructuring efforts, Europe's largest technology company, ASML, is preparing to reward employees with a long-term stock incentive worth €20,000 to encourage them to stay with the business through the end of the decade.

The Dutch semiconductor equipment manufacturer confirmed plans to introduce a one-time conditional share award for eligible employees worldwide. According to a report by Seeking Alpha, the grant will be awarded on 1 January 2027 and will vest on 1 January 2030, effectively serving as a retention incentive for employees who remain with the company over the three-year period.

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The move comes as the US technology sector continues to experience widespread job cuts. Data from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas shows that 139,156 technology jobs have been eliminated in the United States so far in 2026, underscoring the differing strategies companies are adopting as artificial intelligence reshapes the industry.

ASML bets on long-term talent retention

Confirming the programme, an ASML spokesperson said the company remains in a phase of sustained expansion and investment, supported by its recent financial performance and growing demand for advanced chipmaking technology.

The spokesperson said, "ASML is in a period of continued growth and development, as reflected in our latest quarterly results."

The company pointed to several milestones achieved during the first half of the year, including plans to expand manufacturing capacity in 2027 and 2028, alongside an upgraded financial outlook for 2026.

ASML also said it continues to invest heavily in next-generation semiconductor technologies. These include advances in lithography systems, support for emerging 3D chip architectures, wider use of artificial intelligence across its products and software, and broader transformation initiatives covering technology as well as IT and data infrastructure.

Explaining the rationale behind the employee award, the spokesperson added: "In light of these developments, and in recognition of the important role employees have played in ASML's success to date and will continue to play in the future, the Board of Management has decided to grant all eligible employees worldwide a one-time conditional share award with a value of €20,000."

The company said further details of the stock-based award are still being finalised, but reiterated that it will be available to all eligible employees globally.

AI demand drives competition for semiconductor talent

ASML's retention programme reflects the intense competition for skilled workers across the semiconductor industry, where demand has surged alongside investment in AI infrastructure.

The company, whose lithography machines are essential for manufacturing the world's most advanced chips, occupies a critical position in the global semiconductor supply chain. As governments and technology firms continue to invest in AI computing, chipmakers are increasingly looking beyond salaries to retain experienced engineers and technical specialists.

ASML is not alone in rewarding employees as profits rise. Several major Asian semiconductor companies have also introduced substantial payouts linked to strong financial performance driven by AI-related demand.

Samsung reportedly awarded bonuses worth around $370,000 to nearly three-quarters of its workforce after benefiting from increased spending on AI infrastructure.

Fellow South Korean memory chip maker SK Hynix is also said to have distributed bonuses of approximately $477,000 to employees this year, with reports suggesting payouts could approach $900,000 next year.

Meanwhile, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has also signalled higher rewards for staff. In May, chief executive C.C. Wei announced that employee profit-sharing payments would increase by more than 30 per cent on average this year.

Together, these incentives highlight how the AI-driven semiconductor boom is creating a fierce global contest for skilled talent, even as parts of the broader technology industry continue to reduce headcount. For companies at the centre of the AI supply chain, retaining experienced employees is increasingly becoming as strategically important as investing in new manufacturing capacity.