Honest Work

Can workers really have much impact on their companies' behaviour?

Absolutely, though it might not be easy. When workers come together around an issue, they can exert a unique kind of pressure - they often care about their company’s mission and have a deep understanding of its challenges. They can also work with other groups seeking change, such as customers or investors. Check out these success stories from workers for some inspiration.

What kinds of changes can workers seek?

Workers need to balance what’s realistic with what’s impactful. Workers may have quicker success pushing for improved workplace recycling, but influencing your company’s relationships with polluting companies might ultimately have a greater result for the environment. Similarly, while companies may be persuaded to make political statements, efforts may be better spent on getting the company to address its own impacts.

But what about employees' own working conditions? Don't these badly need to be addressed at many companies first?

Low wages, precarious working conditions, inequality at staggering levels - clearly there is so much left to do in improving worker welfare. This is why we need a more supportive regulatory environment for workers, and higher and better union representation as a priority. Yet worker welfare is not solely a result of their working conditions.

How can Honest Work help me change my company?

Honest Work has been founded on the belief that workers can transform the companies they work for to help solve society’s problems.