I’m not sure about the rules, stock policies and such where you are, but from my experience I would only accept stock or shares from a company if the options where given to me as shares or nothing, instead of shares in exchange for salary. I do not believe I have seen any ESOP deals in the US that did the work force any favors. There are many folks over here that will gladly give you their Braniff, Eastern or Pan Am stock if you can pay the postage for it. Get my point?
Good luck. I never liked being in the position you are talking about. Hope things stabilize for you in a positive way.