New Poll Shows Bipartisan Support for Employee Ownership
Executive Director
A poll of 853 registered voters conducted June 27-28 by Public Policy Polling showed that 68% of those surveyed say that they "support the concept of companies being owned by their employees so that all workers share in their success." Thirteen percent oppose the idea, while 19% are unsure. That support differs by party preference, but a majority of respondents from all parties support employee ownership, as the table below indicates.
Table: Support for the concept of companies being owned by their employees
| Support | Oppose | Unsure | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All respondents | 68% | 13% | 19% |
| Democrats | 79% | 7% | 14% |
| Republicans | 58% | 23% | 20% |
| Independents | 67% | 8% | 25% |
The poll was performed for Employee-owned S Corporations of America (ESCA), an organization promoting the interests of companies organized as S corporations and having an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Results of the survey are in ESCA's press release and the full report from Public Policy Polling.
The poll also found that 58% of Americans would support legislation that makes it easier for employees to own a part of the business where they work, and 50% of Americans think the government should do more to encourage the growth of employee-owned companies. Generally, support is highest among Democrats and those identifying as liberal, but pluralities of most groups are supportive. Younger people are somewhat more supportive than older people.