Worker-Owned Businesses

[Boojatta]

Some companies have janitorial employees and others hire outside firms for janitorial services.

There's a difference there, but it's a difference that we don't usually think of as potentially affecting the management of a company.

However, if a business is or will be owned and managed by its workers, then that difference might affect the management of the business.

[99th_Monkey]

1. I don't get what you are asking. Can you elaborate?

I'm having to run out the door at this moment, so I won't get back right away, but am VERY interested in the subject of worker-ownership,
so wanted to pop my question before leaving to bookmark it.

I'll respond late tonight, hopefully. good luck with your string. :hi:

[TreasonousBastard]

2. Maybe in theory, but do some research on what happened to...

United Airlines and UPS with their employee ownership schemes.

There are thousands of smaller employee-owned firms out there doing OK, but at some point they all have to have some management structure to keep things moving along, and not all of them do it well.

[eridani]

3. The basic problem is that they attract mainly people who like the idea--

--of worker owned businesses. I saw this a lot in the 60s and 70s. Idealistic young people trying to find a way to live that did not involve exploitation opened collectively owned bookstores and restaurants. What happened after a few years is that some of them actually developed a sense of vocation about the book business or the food business. The ones that didn't got tired of it and sold their shares, until what you had left was just another small business sole proprietorship or partnership.

In order for this to work for any extended length of time, there have to be easier ways of buying in and selling out.

[Boojatta]

4. How many people want to pay money to get a job?

Unless the number of partners is small enough that it's truly a business opportunity, what's the advantage?

Is a worker-owned business required by law to hire people and let them work for the business for some period of time before an investment is required?