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GuideIntro

The Worker Co-operative Code

A worker-co-op-specific code explaining how cooperative principles apply to worker-owned businesses, including governance, membership, work, capital, and participation.

Source: workers.coopAdded June 12, 2026Published 2023
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Why it matters

It translates broad cooperative principles into the practical realities of worker co-ops, where members are both workers and owners.

Best for

Groups designing or reviewing the basic principles that should guide their governance model.

This is a useful bridge between cooperative values and operating practice. It helps worker co-ops think through membership, democratic control, money, autonomy, education, cooperation, and community in a worker-owned context. Although UK-based, the governance concepts are broadly useful for worker co-ops elsewhere.

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