Congrats on the anniversary! Which reminds me that I was pushed into freelancing 13 years ago as well...

In order to consider democratic workplaces, I think we need to consider what democracy is, both in civil society and in the workplace.

I read this piece (http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/29/why-elections-are-bad-for-democracy) about democracy and elections today. While it pertains to civil society, the application of the proposed solution to workplaces is interesting.

If we follow the reasoning that randomly selected groups of co-workers (sortition) could contribute to executive/departmental/group (or something less hierarchical) decisions that benefit the whole then decisions must also benefit the parts. By benefiting the parts, you benefit the whole. Therefore by seeing to my own needs AND the needs of those around me we grow together.

So what is democracy in the work place? Because it certainly isn't elections. I'll give it a stab: self determination in learning and development while creating value for the common good. Something for me, something for you and something for the planet. This is radically different from the shareholder centric view currenlty held by most large corporations.

Since democracy leads thoughts to elections which aren't really relevant maybe it's a misleading epithet for the actual goal at hand?