Owners invest their time, often get short-paid, late paid, or not paid at all. It's an investment because they are foregoing short-term returns in the hope that there's a long-term pot at the end.
Of course employees are exposed to some risk. Things outside their control, sometimes outside the owners control, happen and you lose your job. Short of working for govt there's no "can't get fired" job.
Sure companies can sell stock to employees. Personally I wouldn't recommend stock where you work (if the company goes under you lose your job and your savings at the same time ala Enron).
Companies can also give stock to employees. If it's not tradeable, then I'm not sure it's worth much. If it is tradeable, I'd sell it (see above.)
It might make employees -feel- different (which is why employers do it) and good feelings are very good for all concerned.
I do feel like workers do take on risk, however. People invest their time in a company and can be arbitrarily let go. Years of domain knowledge they have invested that may not be transferable. The people laid off from the fast food franchise I mentioned are having a tough time finding new, relevant employment.
The most recent layoffs have also shown that salaries are not guaranteed, at least in the U.S.
What do you think about companies like Publix and their stock buy in program ? Do you think that is feasible ?