# Worker Cooperatives
Businesses owned and governed by the people who work in them.
Canonical page: https://givegigs.com/wiki/worker-cooperatives
Last updated: 2026-11-09T19:00:08.786Z
Parent topic: [work-and-cooperation](https://givegigs.com/wiki/work-and-cooperation)
## Contents
- [Overview](#wiki-section-overview-1)
- [Ownership in practice](#wiki-section-governance-2)
- [Tradeoffs and resilience](#wiki-section-tradeoffs-3)
## Overview
A worker cooperative is a business owned and governed by its workers. Workers participate as members under the cooperative's rules, which set out how votes, leadership, surplus, and responsibilities are handled. Legal forms and membership arrangements vary across jurisdictions.
Explore related topics:
- [cooperatives](https://givegigs.com/wiki/cooperatives)
- [decent-work](https://givegigs.com/wiki/decent-work)
- [platform-cooperatives](https://givegigs.com/wiki/platform-cooperatives)
## Ownership in practice
Members may elect a board, participate in major policy decisions, and use transparent processes for joining, training, and resolving disputes. Democratic governance requires accessible information and workable ways for members to take part. Managers and member-owners can hold different roles, with responsibilities defined by law and bylaws.
## Tradeoffs and resilience
Worker ownership can give workers a voice in business decisions and the distribution of value, while requiring investment, shared risk, and time for governance. Cooperatives still need sound operations, fair workplace practices, and plans for changing market conditions. The structure creates possibilities; it does not guarantee equal outcomes or eliminate conflict.
## Sources
- [U\.S\. Federation of Worker Cooperatives: What Is a Worker Cooperative?](https://www.usworker.coop/what-is-a-worker-cooperative/)
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