There are numerous proposals, ideas, and commentary floating around about how we can improve the jobs outlook in this country. Let’s face, it’s not good right now. With unemployment around 10% (9.7% to be exact), and companies not hiring, where does that leave the discussion of job growth in this country?

 

Since we can, let’s talk about employee ownership in the context of job growth. Does being employee owned make a difference? Research has shown that companies that are employee owned do outperform their non-ESOP counterparts. There are several studies out there touting the benefits. If you want to read more, click here.

 

Having The ESOP Association and Employee Ownership Foundation say that being employee owned makes a difference may not mean much, especially to the people that need to hear about employee ownership through an ESOP. So, you may want to read this article that was written by an ESOP Association member and appeared on American Solutions, an organization founded by Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and rumored presidential candidate in 2012, Newt Gingrich, to address what he believes are America’s most pressing problems. The article --- Why Employee Ownership is Necessary for Economic Growth by Andrew J. Kulesza. Go ahead and read it now, we’ll wait. 

 

Andrew Kulesza is the Treasurer of R.E. Kramig & Co., Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio and a member of The ESOP Association’s Board of Governors. He is currently working with his member of Congress to have her co-sponsor pro-ESOP legislation. He’s vocal in his support of employee ownership through an ESOP and is doing his best to let the public and his members of Congress know what makes his company work. We wanted to take a minute here to highlight his work and encourage other ESOP Association members to talk about employee ownership too. In this discussion, persistence is important and we want to give credit where credit is due. 

 

So, now it’s your turn. Are you out there talking to your members of Congress? Yes, we know we ask a lot, but it’s important. We can’t change the discussion if we aren’t involved in it which means speaking up.