Wellbeing is seen as an important part of a flourishing society. It is associated with feeling happy, healthy and valued. But what does this mean for workers in global supply chains? How much does workers’ well-being matter to the companies that employ them and benefit from their labour?
Well-being is a growing professional and academic discipline. It is measured and monitored globally, in communities and workplaces. There is clear evidence that happy workers contribute to better company performance and increased productivity, but how much do we know what creates a sense of happiness and well-being amongst workers?
What can we learn about companies that invest in workers’ well-being, and what do workers themselves think about these? Some would argue that companies should focus on ensuring that workers can access their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. That way they will have voice, choice and control over their own pay and working conditions and will be able to take care of their own sense of well-being.
What is the relationship between ethical trade and well-being?
Our speakers are experts in the field. They will explore approaches to wellbeing and demonstrate best practice examples. Come ready for a challenging debate and discussion over breakfast.
Our speakers
Michael Weatherhead, International Director, NEF Consulting
NEF Consulting is the consultancy arm of New Economics Foundation (NEF), the UK’s leading think tank promoting social, economic and environmental justice. As an organisational development practitioner, Michael has both developed and delivered tools and processes such as the Happiness at Work survey and Well-Supplied. His ambition is to bring wellbeing into the heart of business conversations and decision-making, as well as taking it into government policy. He has brought an understanding and use of wellbeing in decision making into organisations as diverse as the UK National Health Service (NHS), Woolworths, Timberland and Shelter. He recently led a successful pilot of the Well Supplied programme within a biscuit factory in Cape Town, a supplier of Woolworths.
Emily Scott, Private Sector Engagement Team Leader, CARE International UK
Founded in 1945, CARE International is one of the world’s leading humanitarian and development organisations, fighting poverty and injustice in the world’s most vulnerable places. Its programmes and policy work tackle the underlying causes of poverty so that people can become self-sufficient. CARE International UK provides specific expertise in the areas of women’s economic empowerment, inclusive governance, humanitarian response and engaging with the private sector. Emily will share insights from CARE International’s initiatives associated with worker well-being.
Dave Eva, Union Learning Fund Manager, Trades Union Congress
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is a national trade union centre, representing the majority of trade unions in England and Wales, with the objective of raising the quality of working life and promoting equality for all. They represent more than 5.8 million workers in 52 unions. Dave will talk about TUC’s perspective on worker well-being and will set out some of the challenges involved in ensuring companies respect workers’ rights, rather than merely providing perks.