EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION PLANS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION PLANS [Abstract]

EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION PLANS

(14)EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

All equity-based awards to employees are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) at the fair value of the award on the grant date.

The following tables present the total equity-based compensation expense (stock options and RSUs) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2023		2022
Equity-based compensation expense recognized in Cost of services	$	3,009	$	2,155
Equity-based compensation expense recognized in Selling, general and administrative		3,599		3,202
Total equity-based compensation expense	$	6,608	$	5,357

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2023		2022
Equity-based compensation expense recognized in Cost of services	$	7,407	$	5,390
Equity-based compensation expense recognized in Selling, general and administrative		9,003		7,850
Total equity-based compensation expense	$	16,410	$	13,240

Restricted Stock Unit Grants

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company granted 587,490 and 365,515 RSUs, respectively, to new and existing employees, which vest over four to five years. The Company recognized compensation expense related to RSUs of $6.5 million and $15.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. The Company recognized compensation expense related to RSUs of $5.0 million and $12.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. As of September 30, 2023, there was approximately $41.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost (including the impact of expected forfeitures) related to RSUs granted under the Company’s equity plans.

Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit Grants

During 2020, the Company awarded Performance Restricted Stock Units (“PRSUs“) that are subject to service and performance vesting conditions. If defined minimum targets are met, the annual value of the PRSUs issued will be between $0.2 million and $2.0 million and vest immediately. If the defined minimum targets are not met, then no shares will be issued. The number of shares awarded are based on the Company’s annual revenue and adjusted operating income for the fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Each fiscal year’s revenue and adjusted operating income will determine the award amount. The Company recognized compensation expense related to the 2020 PRSUs of $0.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, The Company recognized compensation expense related to the 2020 PRSUs of $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022.

During 2021, the Company awarded PRSUs that are subject to service and performance vesting conditions. If defined minimum targets are met, the annual value of the PRSUs issued will be between $1.2 million and $4.9 million and vest immediately in 2024. If the defined minimum targets are not met, then no shares will be issued. The number of shares that will be awarded will be based on the Company’s annual revenue and adjusted operating income for the fiscal year 2023. The Company recognized compensation expense related to the 2021 PRSUs of $0.1 million and $0.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

During 2022, the Company made awards of two different PRSU programs that are subject to service and performance vesting conditions: ordinary course annual PRSUs and one-time stretch financial goals PRSUs. For the ordinary course annual PRSUs, if defined minimum targets are met, the annual value of the PRSUs issued will be between $0.9 million and $3.5 million and vest immediately in March 2025. If the defined minimum targets are not met, then no shares will be issued. The number of shares that will be awarded will be based on the Company’s annual revenue and adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year 2024. For the one-time stretch financial goals PRSUs, if defined minimum targets at TTEC Engage and TTEC Digital business segments’ levels are met, the number of shares of PRSUs issued will be between 0.0 million shares and 0.5 million shares and will vest immediately in March 2026. If the defined minimum targets are not met, then no shares will be issued. The number of shares to be awarded will be based on the TTEC Engage and TTEC Digital business segments’ annual revenue and adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year 2025. Expense for these awards will begin at the start of the requisite service period, beginning January 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025, respectively.

During 2023, the Company awarded PRSUs that are subject to service and performance vesting conditions. If defined minimum targets are met, the annual value of the PRSUs issued will be between zero and $8.9 million and vest immediately. If the defined minimum targets are not met, then no shares will be issued. The number of shares that will be awarded will be based on the Company’s annual revenue and adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year 2025. Expense for these awards will begin at the start of the requisite service period, beginning January 1, 2025.