Democracy at the Workplace

Reimagining the workplace for the new generation

Democracy at the Workplace is a collective effort to reimagine how we work. Each year, we host an annual gathering where organizations come together to share stories, ideas, and experiences. Our goal is to inspire others and grow the movement for more democratic workplaces.

Inaugural event

In August 2025, 40 founders, HR professionals, and people curious about freedom at work gathered for the first conference.

It was a day of ideas, discussions, and talks from leaders already practising democracy-based work cultures.

Watch talks from the event

Rushabh Mehta (CEO, Frappe) starts off the first event gives an introductory note on the origins, concept and initiative of Democracy at Work.

Sydel D'souza (HR Manager) speaks about the process, trials, and mindset switch it takes to follow a no-hierarchy company setup.

Rohit Bansal shares his experience leading a self-managed company, highlighting policies such as a 'Wild-Card' hiring and board transparency.

Unny Radhakrishnan (CEO, Digitas India) discusses the journey of guiding his team through adopting freedom and accountability with work.

Harini Sreenivasan (Semco Style) speaks about "Self-Managed" workplaces. Diving into the problems of introducing democracy at work.

The state of workplaces today

Corporations are stereotypically run as military hierarchies, where management has maximum power to control the team, and members have to follow directions.

People are not disengaged because they are lazy. They are disengaged because the system leaves little space for them to think, decide, and lead.

Over time, this system starts to strain. Top-down decisions curb creativity and motivation. Teams want ownership, and CXOs don’t realise that passion is the fire to successful work. These are issues that incentives and feedback do not solve.

It’s time to reimagine the workplace

Democracy is a model that ensures that each individual has equal rights (not privileges). There are two things democratic companies tend to value more than order and meeting goals.

Diversity of opinion

Dialogue over authority

A democratic company is founded on the principle of individual freedom for each member. It assumes that everyone in the company, given the right context, is capable of choosing their own way of contribution, just like the managers.

The freedom given to each member is constrained by the fact that they have to contribute back to the company in return for fair wages. But the freedom to choose how to contribute is at the core of this model of working.

Ownership fuels commitment

Teams are more invested when they co-create, not just execute.

Decisions are faster

When authority is distributed, clarity leads to momentum.

Responsibility is chosen not given

People hold themselves accountable,

not rely on management.

Leaders cultivate not control

True stewardship means guiding growth, not issuing commands.

About the event

This event is a space for CEOs, founders, HR leaders, and team builders who are curious about more democratic ways of working. We aim to bring together companies that believe in this model of working and learn from each other’s experiences. The model will be that each company will share their journey and way of working, challenges and how to overcome them.

Later, we can discuss based on various topics of issues that are common challenges with democratic companies.

How to measure work and ensure fairness?

How to collaborate?

How to strategise and set goals?

What is the role of leadership?

This event is organized by: