. united kingdom the company also has an employee share purchase plan for eligible u.k . employees that provides for the purchase of shares after a 3-year period and that is similar to the u.s . plan previously described . three-year periods began in 2015 , 2014 , 2013 , allowing for the purchase of a maximum of 100000 , 300000 , and 350000 shares , respectively . in 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , 2779 shares , 642 shares , and 172110 shares , respectively , were issued under the plan