The Work Foundation

The Work Foundation is an independent research consultancy advising organisations and policymakers about the changing world of work and corporate performance. We are dedicated to Good Work: we aim to improve the quality of working life and increase the effectiveness of organisations. We do this through ideas and evidence, through advice, and through advocacy and events

Reports

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Work and the human claim to uniqueness: A contribution to the philosophy of work

This new essay explores one of the oldest contentions in the philosophy of work – whether work is ‘intrinsic’ to human beings.

Embedding Universities in Knowledge Cities

This report captures the relationships between universities and cities and investigates how these can be capitalised on for mutual benefit in a knowledge economy.

Hard Labour: Jobs, unemployment and the recession

With the likelihood of a prolonged recession growing, this report urges the government to adopt a bold package of measures to stave off unemployment. It argues that the scale of the crisis justifies some decisive intervention to boost the economy.

Life After Longbridge: Three Years on

Around 6300 workers lost their jobs at MG Rover in 2005. This report finds that whilst 90% have found further work, two thirds of those have suffered significant pay cuts.

Knowledge Economy and Enterprise

The past thirty years have seen a huge change in the structure of employment in the UK. The purpose of this working paper is to explore how much of this phenomenon is driven by SMEs.

World-Class Public Services

This report highlights the key findings and insights from participants, and concludes with some recommendations about the implications of public sector policy and practice.

Measuring Public Value - A competing values approach

This paper seeks to address the apparently intractable problem of measuring ‘Public Value’

A Council of Perfection? Ideopolis Leadership Working Paper 1

With the changing economy challenging the traditional spatial dimensions of a city, this working paper explores the role of governance within models of city success.

What's Happening

Recession, Work and the Return of Unemployment

Over the last 12 months the economic environment has altered significantly. The Work Foundation has been reflecting on how policymakers and organisations should respond to these profound challenges.

Keynes event          

Prof  Lord Robert Skidelsky, Keynes Day Event at The Work Foundation, December 2008.

 

 

Events

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Wednesday, 14 January 2009 - Exchange Forum for Leaders in the Creative Industries - How the creative industries might come through the recession

The Work Foundation continues with its series of breakfast events for leaders in the creative and cultural industries. This event will consider the potentital effect the recession will have on these industries.

Wednesday, 21 January 2009 - The Future of HR - Partner Workshop

The Work Foundation has launched a major research programme to shape the evolution of HR in organisations. Ever higher expectations of experience, quality and service are faced by organisations from both their users and their staff and this is now a deeply embedded trend - even if it moderates during the current downturn as the focus shifts to generating major efficiencies.

Thursday, 05 February 2009 - Employment Law Seminar - Employment Law Update

An opportunity to receive a whistle-stop tour of all the latest legislation and cases.