What Makes a Company a True Sharing Company?

More and more companies want to "share." But what does that really mean when it comes to ownership?

A Sharing Company is not just an organization that occasionally offers bonuses or stock options to employees. It’s a company that fundamentally takes ownership seriously. This includes financial reward, but also decision-making power, transparency, and structural trust.

What is a Sharing Company?

A Sharing Company is a business that shares its (future) ownership with employees and potentially other stakeholders. This means employees:

• Share in the economic value of the company (like profit or share appreciation);

• May receive legal rights (such as voting power);

• Experience transparency about their roles and entitlements.

Sharing ownership isn't symbolic or just an HR tactic, it's a structural commitment embedded in the organization. It requires deliberate structures, clear communication, and a culture of mutual trust.

How does the accreditation work?

The Sharing Company Accreditation is an initiative by Share Council and The Share Foundation. Its goal is to offer companies a measurable, recognized, and transparent framework for their ownership structure.

Companies are assessed based on three core criteria:

1. Economic participation: Do employees genuinely share in the company’s value?

2. Legal structure: Are those rights formally and legally secured?

3. Transparency and communication: Are employees clearly informed?

Companies can earn 0 to 3 stars:

• 0 stars: Options, SAR, Loans or Bonds.

• 1 star: True ownership for limited group.

• 2 stars: True ownership for everyone.

• 3 stars: Full ownership including voting rights, transparency, and participation.

Every step on this ladder is meaningful. It shows your company is actively working toward fair and sustainable employee involvement.

Why is this important?

Sharing ownership leads to:

• Greater engagement and a sense of responsibility;

• Long-term employee loyalty;

• Greater transparency within the organization;

• Stronger employer branding.

It also supports broader social goals, like closing the wealth gap. Organizations that choose shared ownership demonstrate that profit and fairness can go hand in hand.

In short: The Sharing Company Accreditation not only helps you structure better but also showcases your commitment to meaningful ownership. And that makes you more attractive to employees, investors, and customers.