We need to talk about work
The Institute for the Future of Work is an independent research and development institute that works at the intersection of government, industry and civil society to shape a fairer future through better work.
‘A Manifesto for a Better Future of Work in Grimsby’ has focused on amplifying the voices of low-income and insecure workers in the port town of Grimsby, North East Lancashire. The work has been informed by the stories of residents who have lost work, are in poor-quality work, or have found new meaning through crisis-related work.
The resulting report has four key findings:
The strength of social relationships and communities in Grimsby has shone through the pandemic. Strong communities are of high importance to local residents. Strong communities are closely associated with creating good, local work.
The ‘problem’ in Grimsby is often diagnosed as a lack of aspiration. However, residents we spoke to have aspiration for good, local work. They lack clear support and pathways to achieve these aspirations.
There are currently no real spaces, institutions or methods to enable the people of Grimsby to talk about their future of work, as individuals looking to change their lives, or as communities. This hampers meaningful involvement in the design of work futures.
While glamorous futures of work are projected onto Grimsby, residents feel disconnected from these stories and would like to shape their own collective story about the future of local, good work.