In a few weeks, many of us will go to the polls to choose the leaders that will represent us. People often associate this process with living and participating in a democracy. But participating and living in a democracy has always been about much more than the voting booth — it’s also about having an ongoing voice in shaping the decisions and actions that affect our lives and society at large, including those that happen at work.
Democracy in the workplace helps employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered, and it can be a valuable tool for supporting equity and inclusion. When workers have a voice in problem-solving and decision-making, it not only creates better working conditions and enhances job satisfaction; it can also drive innovation and productivity. Today, many employers struggle with disengaged workers — not because workers lack interest, but because employers haven’t made the effort to engage and share power with them. Building more democratic processes and systems into the workplace can help improve job quality and business performance. And when people feel empowered in their workplace, that sense of empowerment can extend into their community and society at large and strengthen our democracy.
In this newsletter, we explore key resources and events highlighting the significance of democratic practices in the workplace. Our featured playbook from the Aspen Business Roundtable on Organized Labor offers actionable strategies for promoting collaborative decision-making and inclusive cultures. And our latest publication explores how WIOA can boost job quality by supporting employee ownership. You can also view insights from the two recent Aspen Ideas Festivals — 2022 and 2024— examining how empowering workers can revitalize democratic engagement, as well as a 2016 discussion with David Rolf on the fight for a $15 minimum wage.
Finally, we invite you to join us on November 20 for our webinar, “Workplace Democracy: Sharing Power and Decision Making at Work,” where experts will discuss different strategies and models for democratic participation at work, including employee ownership, union representation, and employee representation on corporate boards. Join us as we uncover the pathways to creating workplaces championing economic stability and democratic values.
Publication — WIOA, Employee Ownership, and Good Jobs: How Workforce Legislation Can Support Employee-Owned Companies and Boost Job Quality
This brief explores how reauthorizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) presents an opportunity to enhance job quality by supporting employee-owned companies. Co-author Maureen Conway and I highlight the need for WIOA to better align and connect workers to high-quality jobs while effectively serving employers committed to providing good jobs. They argue for a focus on policies that encourage the workforce system to partner with employee-owned companies, develop strategies that meet their unique needs, and work to promote some of the participatory practices that make employee-owned companies successful to a wider set of employe partners.
Additional reading
A Private-Equity Executive Pushes for Workers’ Stake in U.S. Companies – How much better would our economy be if workers owned a piece of every company in America?
Upcoming Webinar – Workplace Democracy: Sharing Power and Decision Making at Work
Workers have valuable insights into improving workplace conditions, yet their voices are often ignored, negatively impacting productivity and job satisfaction. Join our panel of experts on Wednesday, November 20, from 2 to 3:15 pm ET, as they explore how workplace democracy can transform organizations through practices such as employee ownership, employee representation on boards, and union representation.
Publication — How to Build a Thriving Company Through Worker Empowerment
This playbook, created by the Aspen Business Roundtable on Organized Labor and Charter, serves as a comprehensive guide for fostering democracy in the workplace, emphasizing collaborative decision-making and inclusive practices. It offers actionable strategies to empower employees, enhance transparency, and promote a culture of shared ownership.
For your Watchlist — Democracy at Work
“Can the Future of Democracy Be Found Through Work?” This panel from the 2024 Aspen Ideas Festival examines the potential of initiatives such as employee ownership and labor unions to foster civic engagement and rebuild trust in democratic institutions. It features opening remarks from Roundtable Director Liba Wenig Rubenstein and EOP Managing Director Matt Helmer, followed by a panel discussion with Bloomberg Beta’s Roy Bahat (chair of the Roundtable), the Economic Security Project’s Natalie Foster (a senior fellow with our Future of Work Initiative), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Carolyn Cawley, and New_ Public’s Deepti Doshi.
“The Changing Nature of Work and Our Troubled Democracy: Two Sides of the Same Coin?” As EOP Executive Director Maureen Conway and the Future of Work Initiative’s former director, Shelly Steward, discuss at the 2022 Aspen Ideas Festival, both American jobs and American democracy are facing significant challenges (PDF). While discussions often reference “the white working class” or “essential workers,” political actions do little to enhance their situation. In a related clip, Steward outlines the intersection between job quality and civic engagement.
“Democracy at Work: Citizen Action and the Fight for $15.” In this event, hosted by EOP in 2016, David Rolf discusses his book, “The Fight for $15: The Right Wage for a Working America.” Rolf is joined by workers from the home care, travel, and food service industries who share their experiences in the workplace and their efforts to engage their co-workers, advocating for better working conditions and revitalizing the democratic process.
Job Quality Center of Excellence Nominated for Anthem Award — Vote Today!
We are pleased to share that our new Job Quality Center of Excellence has been nominated for an Anthem Award! The Anthem Awards — part of The Webby Awards — celebrate purpose and mission-driven work from people, companies, and organizations worldwide. The Center is a finalist to receive a Gold, Silver, or Bronze prize under the “Humanitarian Action & Services > Product, Innovation, or Service” category. Winners will be announced in November, and we are eligible to receive an Anthem Community Voice Award through your support.
Click here to cast your vote by October 31.
Learn More
The Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. Follow us on social media and join our mailing list to stay up-to-date on publications, blog posts, events, and other announcements.
