As of January 1, 2023, Wolfworks has officially become a worker co-op. But what does that mean, exactly?
A worker co-op is a type of business that is owned and controlled democratically by its employees. This means that we each have an equal say in decision-making and share equally in the profits of the business. Worker co-ops offer benefits for both the workers and the community, including increased job security, shared responsibility, a voice in policy decisions, and a more sustainable and equitable economic model.
At Wolfworks, we believe that becoming a worker co-op is a natural next step for our company. We’ve always valued our employees and their contributions, and we believe that giving them a greater stake in the business will allow us to build a stronger, more collaborative, and enduring company. We were inspired by other companies like ours who we’ve seen embrace shared ownership and thrive.
Under our new structure, Jamie, Janet, and Kyle are the initial owners of Wolfworks. Following an established probationary period all employees will have the opportunity to purchase a share and become owners as well. In a worker co-op, policy and governance decisions are made democratically, with each owner having one vote per share. Our Co-op By-Laws outline the decision-making processes, the responsibilities of the owners, and the annual distribution of company profits to each owner. Going forward, everyone we hire will be viewed not just for the skills they will contribute, but for their potential to become a good owner.
It’s important to note that management responsibilities are distinct from ownership at Wolfworks. In our management roles we remain responsible for the day-to-day operations of the business, while as owners we share the strategic role in shaping the direction of the company. We believe that this separation of roles allows for a healthy balance between stability and flexibility and helps to ensure that the co-op is able to adapt and grow over time.
We’re excited about this new chapter for Wolfworks, and we believe that becoming a worker co-op will allow us to build a stronger, more sustainable, and more equitable business. As a triple bottom line company, we prioritize social, environmental, and financial performance. The aim is to have a positive impact on people and the planet, as well as to prosper.
We’re also proud for Wolfworks, as a result of this transition, to become a minority and woman owned business. We look forward to working together to make this transition a success and will continue to share our story with you.