“Restricted stock options” usually mixes three different ideas

Restricted stock generally involves actual shares issued subject to vesting, repurchase, transfer, or forfeiture restrictions. Ownership, voting, and dividend rights depend on the documents. Because shares are issued, the tax and accounting questions differ from a promise to issue shares later.

A restricted stock unit is usually an unfunded promise to deliver a share or cash after vesting or settlement conditions are met. The employee does not necessarily own a share at grant. Dividend equivalents, deferral, and settlement terms can change the economics.

A stock option gives the holder a right to purchase shares at an exercise price during a stated term, subject to vesting and other conditions. Its value is asymmetric: the holder participates in upside above the exercise price but does not receive the full share value at grant.

When a plan uses the phrase “restricted stock option,” check whether it means a conventional option with vesting restrictions, an early-exercisable option whose acquired shares are restricted, or simply an imprecise reference to RSUs. The governing documents, not the shorthand, control the analysis.