FUTUREWORKS Manifesto

Why a FUTUREWORKS Manifesto?

The choices of a single organization influence processes, customers, and employees. The choices of all organizations together impact the economy, society, and our climate.

Governments and institutions attempt to influence these choices by establishing guidelines and regulations, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

At the FUTUREWORKS Institute, we endorse the content and direction of these international initiatives. And… we draw extra attention to an important theme: wellbeing@work.

At FUTUREWORKS Institute, we believe that organizations and companies can make a difference. How great would it be if they committed themselves to creating good and sustainable wellbeing@work for all employees from a single inspiring vision? Ensuring employees feel well in all aspects (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually) and have the energy to sustainably perform in work and life.

What is the FUTUREWORKS Manifesto?

With our Manifesto, we articulate our current vision and ambition for the future of wellbeing@work. As a starting point, we have defined four beliefs.

Wellbeing@work is a:

1. Skill: It can be learned and trained. It is about a mindset and about behavior, rituals, and habits.
2. Choice: No matter the situation you find yourself in, you can always choose to do nothing or to take action based on what is (still) possible.
3. Team effort: Individual choices are influenced and reinforced within a team. A psychosocially safe and healthy team environment, with vital leadership, facilitates and encourages healthier behavior.
4. Shared responsibility: Employees take ownership of their health. Employers provide a physically and psychosocially healthy work environment.

Additionally, we have chosen five wellbeing@work focus areas where we want to make a difference in the coming period, by working closely with (social) organizations, companies, and knowledge institutions.

1. Integration into business and organizational strategy: The impact on wellbeing@work should be a standard part of all tactical and strategic decision-making processes at the executive level. Profit should not systematically come at the expense of people or our planet.
2. Creation and retention of meaningful work: Work should be structured in such a way that employees can perform tasks that align with their (developing) skills, values, and talents. We strive for an optimal fit between the individual and the organization, throughout all life stages.
3. Innovation and optimization: Automation and new organizational forms present opportunities and offer ample possibilities to structurally improve wellbeing@work.
4. Activation of healthier behavior: Work should be designed so that the healthier choice is the easiest choice. Wellbeing is an integral part of all organizational and employee processes.
5. Mitigation of (work-related) risks: We provide an environment where everyone can be themselves in the context of work. We do not tolerate toxic behavior and take responsibility for minimizing the work-related aspects of burnout. We ensure safe workplaces that meet all legal and ergonomic standards, both for office screen workers and for practitioners of manual professions.

This Manifesto serves as a guideline for our actions and decisions. In the coming period, we will continue its development and refinement.