Exploring the changing nature of work

The Work Foundation has announced the launch of a wide-ranging investigation into the UK workplace.  Led by senior figures from industry, the public sector and the trade unions, the Good Work Commission will use independent research to look into quality-of-work issues.

The Commission's aim is to examine the major challenges of work in the twenty-first century and redefine the notion of ‘good work' - in other words, work that's rewarding for business, society and individuals.  And its latest project is being undertaken at a critical juncture.  With the UK attempting to weather the financial crisis, many employees are complaining that the experience of work is getting worse.  At the same time, the responsibilities of business towards society in general, employees and other stakeholders are becoming increasingly centre-stage, while the task of increasing Britain's competitiveness relative to its major competitors remains an ongoing challenge.

The Commission is made up from people across industry and the public sector, collectively employing or representing some 2.4m people.  They include Alan Parker (chair; founder and chairman, Brunswick Group); Andy Bond (chief executive, ASDA); Clare Chapman (director general of workforce, Department of Health); Rt Rev Richard Chartres (Bishop of London); Adam Crozier (incoming CEO, ITV); John Hannett (general secretary, USDAW); Peter Housden (permanent secretary, Department of Communities and Local Government); Will Hutton (executive vice chair, Work Foundation); Jim McAuslan (general secretary, BALPA); Carolyn McCall (chief executive, Guardian Media Group); Peter Sands (group chief executive, Standard Chartered); John Varley (group chief executive, Barclays) and Kim Winser OBE (former chief executive, Pringle and Aquascutum).

Over the next seven months, two reports will reflect the Commission's deliberations and research.  The first will examine the state of the contemporary employment relationship in the UK, and will be published in the spring; the second, focusing on how to encourage more ‘good work' among firms and organisations, will appear in early autumn.

(The Commission understands ‘good work' to be a vision for the future of the employment relationship that seeks to balance the interests of individuals, employers and society.  A good work approach aims to foster performance, engagement and fairness.)