---
authors:
- Aya.elfadil
contributors:
- Aya.elfadil
summary: Worker cooperatives are businesses that are entirely owned and governed by
  their employees democratically. Employees typically join the cooperative by paying
  a membership fee, and each employee receives one vote. They are most prevalent in
  startups and small businesses, though they can exist in organizations with thousands
  of employees.
title: Worker Cooperatives
---

Worker cooperatives are businesses that are entirely owned and governed
by their employees democratically. Employees typically join the
cooperative by paying a membership fee, and each employee receives one
vote. They are most prevalent in startups and small businesses, though
they can exist in organizations with thousands of employees.

For a more comprehensive overview of the cooperative model, see the [Cooperative](cooperative.md) page.

## Further reading

- Wikipedia: [Worker cooperative](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worker_cooperative)


## See also

- [Cooperative](cooperative.md)
- [Community Business](community-business.md)
- [Economic Democracy](economic-democracy.md)
- [Workplace Democracy](workplace-democracy.md)
- [Earthworker Cooperative](../organisations/earthworker-cooperative.md)
- [bHive](../organisations/bhive.md)
- [Loomio](../organisations/loomio.md)