Equality and Human Rights Commission

'Working Better' brings together various ideas about how work could be organised, people employed and business structured for Britain to meet the challenges of the 21st Century and at the same time improve equality and human rights.

We've been working to find innovative new ways of working, particularly more flexible options. For those with caring responsibilities, parents who want to work, disabled people who want meaningful careers, and older workers who wants to stay in the labour market for longer - this is the big issue of our time.

Working Better also highlights challenges for business and institutions, for example the squandering of talent apparent in the 'glass ceilings' that specific groups of people face when trying to progress through the ranks of an industry, profession or spheres of public life. Our Sex and Power survey illustrates this through the case of women and highlights the dangers of continuing to waste talent in Britain's economic, cultural and political life.

Working Better will look at the limitations of current policy and practice, highlight where new thinking and creative solutions are needed, and put forward a range of options and solutions for change.

Working Better latest:

Sex and Power 2011

Our new report show that whilst British women are better educated than ever before, there is continuing trend of women being passed over for top jobs in Britain.

Read more about Working Better

Childcare Matters: Improving choices and chances for parents and children
Our policy paper 'Childcare Matters'  explores the role of childcare in supporting parents to balance work and caring responsibilities. It assesses whether current provision helps or hinders parents’ wishes to combine work and caring, and highlights the importance of good quality childcare in closing the educational attainment gaps between rich and poor.

Download:
Childcare Matters: Improving choices and chances for parents and children (PDF)
Childcare Matters: Improving choices and chances for parents and children (WORD)
Childcare: A review of what parents want (PDF)
Childcare: A review of what parents want (WORD)

• Find out what the Working Better initiative is all about, including information from the launch of Phase Two in January 2010.
• Read our Phase One report that takes a detailed look at what modern parents say would make a difference to them and offers some possible solutions and initiatives to help make that a reality.
• View video clips and download the guide from our launch of Working Better: A Managers’ Guide to Flexible Working.