Good Work Commission to Investigate Changing Nature of Work

LONDON, March 10, 2010 - The Work Foundation today announces the launch of a wide-ranging
investigation into the UK workplace. Using independent research and led by
senior figures from business, the public sector and trade unions, the
Commission's look at quality of work issues is one of the most comprehensive
to be conducted in recent years.

The aim of the Good Work Commission is to examine the major challenges of
work in the 21st century and redefine the notion of good work - work that is
rewarding for business, society and individuals.

    The project comes at a critical juncture:

    - With the UK economy weathering the financial crisis, this
      investigation takes place at a time when many complain that the
      experience of work is getting worse.
    - The responsibilities of businesses towards society and employees,
      as well as shareholders, is increasingly centre-stage.
    - The task of increasing productivity in the UK, relative to our
      major competitors, remains an ongoing challenge.

The Commission is made up of people from across industry and the public
sector, together employing or representing approximately 2.4 million people.
They are:

    - Chair: Alan Parker, founder and chairman, Brunswick Group
    - Andy Bond, chief executive, Asda
    - Clare Chapman, director general of workforce, The Department of
      Health
    - Rt Rev Richard Chartres, The Bishop of London
    - Adam Crozier, chief executive, Royal Mail (Adam is expected to
      take up the position of ITV CEO in April)
    - John Hannett, general secretary, USDAW
    - Peter Housden, permanent secretary, The Department of Communities
      and Local Government
    - Will Hutton, executive vice chair, The 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
    - Kim Winser, OBE, former chief executive of Pringle and Aquascutum

The Good Work Commission will publish two reports resulting from its
deliberations and research over the next seven months.

The first will examine the state of the contemporary employment
relationship in the UK and will be published in spring 2010; the second will
focus on how to encourage more good work amongst firms and organisations and
will be published at the start of the autumn.

Alan Parker, founder of Brunswick and chairman of the Good Work
Commission, said: "Surprisingly few companies are harnessing the real
potential of their people by giving jobs a sense of purpose, and thus
motivating employees to out-perform. Some businesses do it brilliantly and
should be celebrated, but their example is not as widespread as it ought to
be. The Good Work Commission wants to highlight best practice so that
businesses and organisations can achieve more by creating an environment that
promotes good work."

Will Hutton, executive vice chair of The Work Foundation, said: "Work
matters. It structures people's days, it's where they make friends, and at
its best it helps people feel useful and fulfilled. Now that the worst of the
recession is past, we need to ask again how more work can be good work - more
productive, more engaging, and fairer. Firms and technology are changing fast
and skills are increasing, but the ways people are managed and led often seem
to be stuck in a time-warp."

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.

    Notes for editors:

    - The Good Work Commission was formed by The Work Foundation in
      early 2009
    - The Commission has met regularly, addressing subjects such as
      leadership, ownership, motivation, employee engagement, the meaning of
      work and the employment relationship. It will conclude its work in
      September 2010.
    - Commissioners are taking part in the Commission as individuals.
    - The Work Foundation is the leading independent authority on work
      and its future. It aims to improve the quality of working life and the
      effectiveness of organisations by equipping leaders, policymakers and
      opinion-formers with evidence, advice, new thinking and networks.

www.theworkfoundation.com

For more information: Stephen Overell, The Work Foundation, Tel: +44(0)207-976-3506, Mobile:
+44(0)7970-765-251