Knowledge Resources

This website comprises an extensive knowledge base including research reports, working papers, case studies and links to other sites from across Europe.

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Working with policymakers

Working with policymakers

UKWON works with policymakers regionally, nationally, at EU level and internationally to promote programmes and initiatives which support enhanced competitveness, innovation and a better quality of working life.

Only a minority of public or private employers have systematically adopted ways of working that can bring sustained benefits for organisations and their employees alike.There is a long tail in the UK and Europe separating evidence-based practice from common practice. We all pay for this through reduced prosperity and the prevalence of poor quality working lives.

Evidence from several European countries (including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany and Norway) shows that targeted intervention by public agencies and social partners can significantly reduce this gap. Yet successive UK governments show little sign of learning from this experience, and the EU itself could do far more to help disseminate good practice.

Our diverse range of experts and partners can work with policymakers to design and deliver measures that help employers and employees to work more effectively. For example we recently completed a comprehensive overview of workplace innovation policies and programmes in Europe for the Government of South Korea. A case study of the Finnish National Workplace Development Programme and an earlier report on a highly innovative pilot programme in Ireland are also available in our Knowledge Base.

UKWON's international experience has also contributed to the design and management of the Innovative Workplaces programme, developed in partnership with Acas and funded by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda). You can read Nottingham Trent University's independent evaluation report here.

Together with our Advisory Board, UKWON is also trying to engage the Coalition Government in dialogue about the practical policy implications of its "Big Society" agenda. If the Big Society is to be more than a passing political fad “with the resonance of a political epitaph" then there is a need for a robust policy framework that can animate and resource citizen engagement capable of renewing the public sphere. Our Thinkpiece tests this idea by examining two cases at the frontline of transformation: regional economic development and healthcare.

UKWON also maintains a long-term dialogue with the European Commission on the need for more effective intervention and leadership at EU level. Recently we issued a Response to the Europe 2020 Consultation, arguing that the workplace should have greater visibility. We followed this up with an International Workshop in Brussels which included participants from across the European Commission; the workshop report includes a succinct summary of the key policy issues. Peter Totterdill, UKWON's Joint Chief Executive, also facilitated a workshop on workplace innovation at the European Commission's Launch of the Social Innovation Initiative.

Previous engagement with the European Commission includes:

  • Partners at Work? An analysis of organisational developments in over a hundred European Workplaces.

 

 

UKWON Links

LAUNCHING WORKPLACE INNOVATION
Discover how UKWON's sister organisation can deliver practical support for change in your organisation. Visit workplaceinnovation.eu

RESILIENCE -
IN TIMES OF CHANGE

The Resilience website and Action Resource Kit (ARK) was created by a highly experienced team lead by the Confederation of British Industry and the UK Work Organisation Network. Read more...

FORUM THEATRE
Forum Theatre is an innovative and highly effective method for engaging employees at all levels in change. UKWON has its own forum theatre company, Partners@Work, established in 1998. Read more...

News and Events

WORK AND WORKPLACES IN 2020

Members of UKWON's Advisory Board are conducting an Inquiry into future trends in work and organisations, jointly hosted by the CBI and TUC.   Read more...

THE ENGAGEMENT NETWORK

Welcome to the Engagement Network, UKWON’s programme of free events which enables practitioners to share knowledge and experience of building an engaged workforce. Read more...