Stock Incentive Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

On April 22, 2021, the Kforce shareholders approved the 2021 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”). The 2021 Plan allows for the issuance of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards (including restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”)) and other stock-based awards. The aggregate number of shares of common stock that are subject to awards under the 2021 Plan is approximately 3.9 million shares. The 2021 Plan terminates on April 28, 2031. Prior to the effective date of the 2021 Plan, the Company granted stock awards to eligible participants under our 2020 Stock Incentive Plan, 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, 2016 Stock Incentive Plan and 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (collectively the “Prior Plans”). As of the effective date of the 2021 Plan, no additional awards may be granted pursuant to the Prior Plans; however, awards outstanding as of the effective date will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of the Prior Plans.

During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, stock-based compensation expense was $14.0 million, $11.6 million and $9.8 million, respectively. The related tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $4.1 million, $3.4 million, and $2.3 million, respectively.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock (including RSAs and RSUs) are granted to executives and management either: for awards related to Kforce’s annual long-term incentive (“LTI”) compensation program, or as part of a compensation package in order to retain directors, executives and management. The LTI award amounts are based on Kforce’s total shareholder return versus a pre-defined peer group. The LTI restricted stock granted during the year ended December 31, 2021, will vest ratably over a period of three to four years. Other restricted stock granted during the year ended December 31, 2021, will vest ratably over a period of one to ten years and some at non-ratable periods between one and seven years.

RSAs contain the same voting rights as other common stock as well as the right to forfeitable dividends in the form of additional RSAs at the same rate as the cash dividend on common stock and containing the same vesting provisions as the underlying award. RSUs contain no voting rights, but have the right to forfeitable dividend equivalents in the form of additional RSUs at the same rate as the cash dividend on common stock and containing the same vesting provisions as the underlying award. The distribution of shares of common stock for each RSU, pursuant to the terms of the Kforce Inc. Director’s Restricted Stock Unit Deferral Plan, can be deferred to a date later than the vesting date if an appropriate election was made. In the event of such deferral, vested RSUs have the right to dividend equivalents.

The following table presents the restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2021, (in thousands, except per share amounts):


	Number of Restricted Stock	Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value		Total Intrinsic Value of Restricted Stock Vested








Outstanding at December 31, 2020	1,137	$	33.63
Granted	417	$	47.58
Forfeited/Canceled	(20)	$	26.93
Vested	(451)	$	32.16	$	33,559
Outstanding at December 31, 2021	1,083	$	35.00

The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock granted was $47.58, $40.11 and $38.37 during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The total intrinsic value of restricted stock vested was $33.6 million, $18.0 million and $18.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The fair market value of restricted stock is determined based on the closing stock price of Kforce’s common stock at the date of grant and is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. As of December 31, 2021, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock was $50.3 million, which will be recognized over a weighted-average remaining period of 3.0 years