The Work Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Work Foundation is a British not-for-profit organisation and independent authority providing advice, consultancy and research on the future of work, improving the quality of working life, leadership, economic and organisational effectiveness. The foundation works with government, business organisations, the public sector, and not-for-profit institutions. It operates with opinion formers, policy makers and partner organisations through forums and networks, consultations and publications.
It was founded in 1918 as The Boys Welfare Association later becoming The Industrial Society. In 2002 it was renamed The Work Foundation, shifting its business model away from being a training organisation towards being a research, consultancy and policy think tank
under the leadership of former Observer
Editor Will Hutton
. Its reports on various aspects of the labour market are often cited by the media. In 2008 Stephen Bevan replaced Hutton as managing director, with Hutton becoming executive vice-chair. The Work Foundation was acquired in October 2010 by Lancaster University
following a winding up petition in the High Court
.
, London - a deprived, slum area. As part of his work he has managed boys' clubs in London's East End. He joined the Ministry of Munitions during the first world war working as a civil servant dealing with the social conditions of the munitions workers. As a consequence he had gained first hand experience of appalling workplace conditions.
As a result of this knowledge he sought to improve working conditions for the boys and young men employed in munitions plants. Hyde genuinely believed that benign employers and industrial harmony had the capacity to create as much wealth as harsh taskmasters and conflict. He also sought to 'provide proper facilities for the maximum enjoyment of the Workers' free time'.
In 1919 The Boys' Welfare Association changed its name to The Industrial Welfare Society; this signified an extension of its activities. Much of the Society’s work in the 1920s and 1930s involved the struggle for what is now considered very basic, such as employer-provided lunchrooms and restrooms. It was greatly helped by the willingness of Prince Albert
to be President. He was very willing to involve himself through his own personal participation. He visited between 120 and 150 workplaces around the country between 1920 and 1935. He organized and partially attended The Duke of York Boys’ Camps - camps set up for both working class and public school boys. In addition he attended or sent a letter to every annual meeting of the society until his accession to the throne as George VI in 1937, at which point he became the organization's Patron. The Industrial Society was granted a Royal Charter in 1984. Robert Hyde continued as head of the Society until his retirement in 1948.
HRH Prince Philip became the Patron of the Industrial Society in 1954.
Robert Hyde's replacement was John Marsh, who remained as Director until 1962. Under Marsh's direction the Society turned more positively from the provision of good physical working conditions to the fostering of good human relations in industry. In 1962 John Garnett became Director and in 1965 the name was shortened to "The Industrial Society". John Garnett was Director until 1986, and under his leadership the Society obtained an increasingly high profile. It was briefly in charge of the "I'm Backing Britain
" campaign in 1968. On John Garnett's retirement, Alistair Graham
became Chief Executive, followed in 1991 by Rhiannon Chapman and in 1994 by Tony Morgan who oversaw a series of rejuvenatory reforms. The failing financial circumstances of the society were remedied and new training programs and conferences were instituted. In 2000 Will Hutton
took over as CEO. The Industrial Society was in turn renamed The Work Foundation in 2002. In 2008 Stephen Bevan replaced Hutton as managing director, with Hutton becoming executive vice-chair.
On 21 October 2010 The Work Foundation was acquired by Lancaster University for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition followed a winding-up petition due to insolvency
filed in the High Court, citing a pension deficit. At the time of the purchase the pension fund which had about 600 members, including a number of the 43 current employees, had a funding deficit of £27m. It was indicated that the two institutions would build on a record of previous collaboration between the university's business school and the Work Foundation which would continue to operate from its headquarters in Westminster
.
, improved employee satisfaction and better workplace health and general well-being. It has developed a growing empirical evidence base to support this position. Current research programmes include Knowledge Economy 2020, Cities 2020, The Future of HR, Health and Wellbeing and Outstanding Leadership. Recent activity involves the development of new programmes around the Creative Industries and The Bottom Ten Million (a study of in-work poverty across the UK). The Work Foundation has a large number of organisations as 'partners' or 'principal partners'.
It was founded in 1918 as The Boys Welfare Association later becoming The Industrial Society. In 2002 it was renamed The Work Foundation, shifting its business model away from being a training organisation towards being a research, consultancy and policy think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
under the leadership of former Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
Editor Will Hutton
Will Hutton
William Nicolas Hutton is an English writer, weekly columnist and former editor-in-chief for The Observer. He is currently Principal of Hertford College, Oxford and Chair of the Big Innovation Centre , an initiative from The Work Foundation , having been Chief Executive of The Work Foundation from...
. Its reports on various aspects of the labour market are often cited by the media. In 2008 Stephen Bevan replaced Hutton as managing director, with Hutton becoming executive vice-chair. The Work Foundation was acquired in October 2010 by Lancaster University
Lancaster University
Lancaster University, officially The University of Lancaster, is a leading research-intensive British university in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. The university was established by Royal Charter in 1964 and initially based in St Leonard's Gate until moving to a purpose-built 300 acre campus at...
following a winding up petition in the High Court
High Court of Justice
The High Court of Justice is, together with the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court, one of the Senior Courts of England and Wales...
.
History
On 3 April 1918 the Reverend Robert Hyde founded what was initially called The Boys’ Welfare Association. Prior to this he had worked with the poor of HoxtonHoxton
Hoxton is an area in the London Borough of Hackney, immediately north of the financial district of the City of London. The area of Hoxton is bordered by Regent's Canal on the north side, Wharf Road and City Road on the west, Old Street on the south, and Kingsland Road on the east.Hoxton is also a...
, London - a deprived, slum area. As part of his work he has managed boys' clubs in London's East End. He joined the Ministry of Munitions during the first world war working as a civil servant dealing with the social conditions of the munitions workers. As a consequence he had gained first hand experience of appalling workplace conditions.
As a result of this knowledge he sought to improve working conditions for the boys and young men employed in munitions plants. Hyde genuinely believed that benign employers and industrial harmony had the capacity to create as much wealth as harsh taskmasters and conflict. He also sought to 'provide proper facilities for the maximum enjoyment of the Workers' free time'.
In 1919 The Boys' Welfare Association changed its name to The Industrial Welfare Society; this signified an extension of its activities. Much of the Society’s work in the 1920s and 1930s involved the struggle for what is now considered very basic, such as employer-provided lunchrooms and restrooms. It was greatly helped by the willingness of Prince Albert
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
to be President. He was very willing to involve himself through his own personal participation. He visited between 120 and 150 workplaces around the country between 1920 and 1935. He organized and partially attended The Duke of York Boys’ Camps - camps set up for both working class and public school boys. In addition he attended or sent a letter to every annual meeting of the society until his accession to the throne as George VI in 1937, at which point he became the organization's Patron. The Industrial Society was granted a Royal Charter in 1984. Robert Hyde continued as head of the Society until his retirement in 1948.
HRH Prince Philip became the Patron of the Industrial Society in 1954.
Robert Hyde's replacement was John Marsh, who remained as Director until 1962. Under Marsh's direction the Society turned more positively from the provision of good physical working conditions to the fostering of good human relations in industry. In 1962 John Garnett became Director and in 1965 the name was shortened to "The Industrial Society". John Garnett was Director until 1986, and under his leadership the Society obtained an increasingly high profile. It was briefly in charge of the "I'm Backing Britain
I'm Backing Britain
I'm Backing Britain was a brief patriotic campaign aimed at boosting the British economy which flourished in early 1968. The campaign started spontaneously when five Surbiton secretaries volunteered to work an extra half an hour each day without pay in order to boost productivity, and urged others...
" campaign in 1968. On John Garnett's retirement, Alistair Graham
Alistair Graham
Sir John Alistair Graham is a well known figure in British public life. He was Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life from 2003 until April 2007....
became Chief Executive, followed in 1991 by Rhiannon Chapman and in 1994 by Tony Morgan who oversaw a series of rejuvenatory reforms. The failing financial circumstances of the society were remedied and new training programs and conferences were instituted. In 2000 Will Hutton
Will Hutton
William Nicolas Hutton is an English writer, weekly columnist and former editor-in-chief for The Observer. He is currently Principal of Hertford College, Oxford and Chair of the Big Innovation Centre , an initiative from The Work Foundation , having been Chief Executive of The Work Foundation from...
took over as CEO. The Industrial Society was in turn renamed The Work Foundation in 2002. In 2008 Stephen Bevan replaced Hutton as managing director, with Hutton becoming executive vice-chair.
On 21 October 2010 The Work Foundation was acquired by Lancaster University for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition followed a winding-up petition due to insolvency
Insolvency
Insolvency means the inability to pay one's debts as they fall due. Usually used to refer to a business, insolvency refers to the inability of a company to pay off its debts.Business insolvency is defined in two different ways:...
filed in the High Court, citing a pension deficit. At the time of the purchase the pension fund which had about 600 members, including a number of the 43 current employees, had a funding deficit of £27m. It was indicated that the two institutions would build on a record of previous collaboration between the university's business school and the Work Foundation which would continue to operate from its headquarters in Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
.
Current Activity
The Work Foundation is focused on promoting the concept of 'Good Work' - the notion that good quality jobs lead to higher productivity, improved quality of working lifeQuality of working life
"Quality of Working Life" is a term that had been used to describe the broader job-related experience an individual has.-Quality of Working Life and related concepts: job satisfaction, workplace stress and quality of life:...
, improved employee satisfaction and better workplace health and general well-being. It has developed a growing empirical evidence base to support this position. Current research programmes include Knowledge Economy 2020, Cities 2020, The Future of HR, Health and Wellbeing and Outstanding Leadership. Recent activity involves the development of new programmes around the Creative Industries and The Bottom Ten Million (a study of in-work poverty across the UK). The Work Foundation has a large number of organisations as 'partners' or 'principal partners'.