This guide walks through the steps of a conversion to a worker cooperative from a different business form.
Converting a business to a worker cooperative can be a complex project, and will come to decisions and paths that are uniquely tied to the people involved, the business sector, and the context of the conversion. Every situation will need unique tools and many will blaze new paths. This guide aims to show the most common steps along the way, and help you customize your own process with templates and tools you can adapt.
A significant factor in any conversion is who you are. The order of events may look quite different if you are the seller or the buyers, if you have a collaborative or antagonistic relationship with the other party, and whether the owner intends to exit after the conversion as a cooperative member. This guide is probably most helpful for transition that is jointly led by the owner and the employees.