Study: Welfare of Employees Proved Paramount to Company's Success

Aug. 9, 2002
Ever wonder how a happy, safe, healthy workforce impacts a company's history, or even the history of the city in which it's located? A researcher in Britain says that one company's over 100 years in business partially can be attributed to the benefits it's offered employees.

Simon Phillips, from the Department of International Studies at Nottingham Trent University in Britain, studied the Boots Co.'s "outstanding" employee policies over the years and the role those policies played in the company's business success. The study highlights how Boots' drive for a happy workforce played a key role in the development of the city of London and its own success.

"The founder of the Boots Pure Drug Co. was Jesse Boot. He recognized that the welfare of employees was linked to the welfare of the customers and ultimately to the health of the community and the nation. The influence came from Jesse's strong involvement in chapel affairs and local [programs] to improve living conditions within his community," notes Phillips.

The first Boots branch opened in 1849, and by 1933, there were 1,000 branches. As early as the late 19th Century, Jesse Boots hired a part-time employee to visit sick employees. In 1911, the first full-time Boots employee assigned to conduct what we now recognize as "human resources" activities, Eleanor Kelly, was appointed. She later became a major figure in the movement to improve working conditions in Britain and internationally.

Through the years, Boots became a leading player in the workers' rights movement. The First World War drew attention to the working conditions of women and young people, and Boots was among first companies in Britain to try and address them.

Jesse Boots, says Phillips, along with subsequent company leaders, believed that to improve the moral and physical condition of the nation, there was a need to improve the working life of employees.

The forward-thinking company, he notes, "set up its own welfare department to coordinate sports, social events, medical provisions and education to encourage workers to socialize with each other and develop good relationships. It continued to break down barriers between the workers and executives by setting up friendly sports events with local companies. The aim was to increase the sense of teamwork as well as loyalty to the company."

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

Sponsored Recommendations

June 23, 2025
Learn about lone working laws in the US, key hazards and risks, and get actionable advice on how to keep your lone workers safe.
June 23, 2025
Chemical substitution can quickly get messy, with unclear steps and the risk of swapping one hazard for another. This checklist helps you avoid costly mistakes, prioritize which...
June 23, 2025
A mature approach to health and safety means making safety a core part of your culture, where everyone plays a role and performance is measured by more than just numbers. In this...
June 23, 2025
Behavior-based safety focuses on observing and encouraging safe behaviors to reduce workplace risks. Experts explain how strong safety culture, clear methods, and digital tools...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!