Category: Workplace Humanitarianism

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.