I am launching an initiative to unite Workplace Humanitarians. I am gathering people to join me on my journey of humanizing the workplace, via Scrum or otherwise. I am calling this platform the “Center for Humane Work Organization”. I have decided to do so via Patreon so I can maintain my independence while having the resources and means to continue my (non-billable) creative work, contribute in a positive way to the world and feed my family. It’s a win-win-win situation.
Although my professional life has revolved around Scrum a lot, the aspiration that drives me in the first place is: to create a better world to live and work in.
I therefore call myself not just an independent (Scrum) Caretaker but also a “Workplace Humanitarian”. This is not a standard, formal role (yet, but…who knows). Rather, it is a label that reflects how I deliberately work towards making workplaces more humane and dignified. This is also expressed when I state that I am on a (never-ending) mission to humanize the workplace. I help others develop more humane ways of working, not merely more efficient ones. However, as engaged people care about outcomes anyhow (without needing to be instructed to do so) a more humane workplace is a more productive one too. In my role I am guided by principles like humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. I advocate for structures and practices that give people autonomy, voice and protection. I focus on nurturing people‑centric, value‑driven ways of working in which ‘productivity’ is aligned with ‘humanity’. In that sense, “Workplace Humanitarian” is a self‑chosen identity that highlights a moral stance too: to influence and enhance the working conditions for the longer term so that people suffer less and flourish more while they earn a living and their organizations prosper.
My self-chosen title affirms the workplace to be a context in which ‘humanitarian’ concerns do apply. It affirms that the workplace is more than a place where people come to work to earn a living. It is worthwhile assessing and improving how much room there is for vulnerability, growth and dignity: how people are treated, how power is exercised, the presence of dehumanizing practices such as command‑and‑control management, micro-management, excessive pressure or systemic disrespect. There are many more everyday ‘micro‑conditions’ at play in the workplace that are worthwhile observing and improving: psychological safety, respect, fairness, inclusion and meaningful collaboration.
Obviously, my role is not about providing aid, relief or protection in local or regional crises or in war or disaster zones like humanitarian workers and organizations do. A “workplace humanitarian”, by analogy however, does bring a similar ethical concern for human dignity into organizations, but applied to everyday work rather than as a response to disaster.
Warm regards
Gunther
independent (Scrum) Caretaker and Workplace Humanitarian
Personal note
As you may know, I am business wise in a very difficult position. Given the care for our sons, I can’t take up full-time consulting work (even if I wanted to) and gradually became much dependent on classes and workshops. I have no partners, business friends, training organizations or other forms of enterprise support. That worked out reasonably well until the training market collapsed (although, honestly, I could have seen it coming even before that). Over the past years, I’ve had no worthwhile revenues and my company Ullizee-Inc is running out of financial means. Yet, I am determined to stick to the view that money is important, but it is not what drives me. I want to keep contributing in a positive way to the world without giving up my independence while being able to feed my family. Hence, I am launching the platform that I call the “Center for Humane Work Organization” via Patreon so I can maintain my independence while having the resources and means to continue my (non-billable) creative work. It’s a win-win-win situation. I want to thank the many people that helped me see the value in this way of working. I see it as a micro-funding concept that can make a huge difference at a macro level.
Allow me to invite you to check out the set up of the center at this start-up time. There is no doubt that more ideas will emerge as I embark on this journey with the members. Feel free to share what value you hope to get from this.
Membership Levels
The “Center for Humane Work Organization” offers different membership levels:
- “Supporter” is the membership for anyone wanting to (financially) support the initiative of the Center for Humane Work Organization without actively participating. The current cost is 5 €*.
- “Passenger” is the base membership for anyone wishing to participate and be involved in the initiative of the Center for Humane Work Organization. The current cost is 10 €*.
- “Companion” is the premium membership for anyone wishing to actively engage in the initiative of the Center for Humane Work Organization and in the future even help shaping it . The current cost is 25 €*.
(* Patreon will convert this amount to your local currency while adding local taxes that apply.)
Offerings for Members
The “Center for Humane Work Organization” offers different types of advantages, content offerings and options depending on the membership levels:
- “Scrum Pocketcasts” are sessions in which I read the latest version of my book “Scrum – A Pocket Guide” followed by Q&A for the attendees. The series of reading sessions (estimated at 5) is free for all members and for the general public. Recordings will be made available for all members and for the general public.
- “Sneak Previews” are sessions in which I share dry-runs or exclusive versions of workshop exercises, books, papers and presentations followed by Q&A for the attendees. These sessions are available for Passengers and Companions. Recordings will be made available for Passengers and Companions.
- “Hangout” sessions are for Passengers and Companions with a topic defined by the attending Passengers and Companions. I act as a steward. If recorded, the recordings will be made available for Passengers and Companions.
- “Assembly” sessions are for Companions. The topic will be defined by the attending Companions but is preferred to be about the Center itself: its operations, offering, workings. If recorded, the recordings will be made available for Companions.
- “Interactivents” are small workshops that will consist of a one-hour presentation by me followed by a one-hour workshop for the attendees. These sessions are free for Companions and can be attended by Supporters, Passengers and the general public at an additional cost.
All members—Supporters, Passengers and Companions—can accumulate a “Credit” worth of their subscription fee (so far) as a discount on any of my public classes or workshops.
Find the launch announcement also as the first message at the Patreon page for the new “Center for Humane Workplace Organization” as well, published on March 24, 2026.