Making work human is about inspiring more humanity in today’s modern workplace and creating an environment where employees are motivated, engaged, creative, innovative, and productive. It’s about rejecting archaic, bureaucratic ways of working and making your workplace inherently more responsive to human needs. The Charter of Workplace Rights, a call to action for organizations worldwide and the cornerstone of Workhuman® Certified, defines those needs as:
Workhuman Certified is a powerful credo that conveys to your employees, prospective employees, customers, and shareholders that you believe the time has come for bold action toward making work more human. It says you’ve fully embraced this cultural shift in HR and that you believe in the power of humanity in the workplace to energize cultures, unlock human potential, and unite diverse workforces around a shared purpose. Workhuman Certified is an opportunity to be recognized for the commitment you’ve already made and the action you’ve already taken on the journey, and it’s a promise to do more.
Being a Workhuman Certified Enterprise boosts your employer brand, helps attract and keep top talent, and is a powerful statement about your culture and people practices to investors.
Workhuman Certified and the Workhuman® Charter of Workplace Rights are part of the Workhuman movement, pioneered by Workhuman and its global community of like-minded HR and business leaders. Workhuman Certified is a collaborative effort that includes representatives from the entire Workhuman community – Workhuman’s own subject matter experts, industry influencers and thought leaders, researchers, other Workhuman® Certified Professionals, and Workhuman ambassadors.
Workhuman Certified is open to any organization, anywhere in the world. There are no restrictions on company size, industry, or location.
You do not need to be a Workhuman Certified Professional in order to apply to become a Workhuman Certified Enterprise. The two components of the program are complementary but independent.
You may apply any time you like. Applications are accepted year-round. You compile your application at your pace, rather than feeling pressure to meet a limited “application open” time frame.
Applications are reviewed within 30 days of application completion.
To apply, first complete Part One by summarizing your organization’s commitment to and action on each of the nine rights. The Part One form is available at certified.workhuman.com/apply. Next, you will be invited to submit evidence supporting those summaries (Part Two). Evidence might include examples of certifications your organization already holds, awards you’ve won, and current employee survey data. Other examples of strong evidence include practices, programs, and policies that support a human-centered workplace and create a positive employee experience.
An Application Guide accessible in Part Two offers numerous examples of the types of practices and programs that organizations consider as evidence of their progress in the rights. Exactly what you decide to share as strong examples of working human is up to you. We cast the vision, bring the community together, and facilitate progress – not judge what’s “best.” Who better to interpret what working human looks like in your organization than you?
There is no limit to the number of certifications issued each year. Unlike traditional certification and award programs, where you’re vying for spots on a list, we don’t believe in companies competing against each other to create positive experiences for employees. Our belief is that the more companies that support these principles through commitment and action, the more we all benefit in terms of maximizing our employees’ human potential, supporting them in doing the best work of their lives, and achieving business results.
Real humans – experienced, forward-thinking HR leaders and data analysts who are empowered to use good professional judgment – review applications. They look for the following key characteristics when reviewing your evidence:
All the rights are considered integral in creating a more human workplace and are treated as such by reviewers. However, every organization applies at a different place in their journey, with some further along in certain rights than others. Additionally, the way you interpret the rights and the practices that reflect your commitment and action in each right are unique to your organization. What’s most important is evidence of your holistic progress and a measure of intent and action in each right.
An important premise of the program, and one that sets it apart, is its focus on a holistic commitment to what it means to work human. Our point of view acknowledges all the rights as integral and interconnected in creating positive experiences for employees. Therefore, they are treated as a whole, with an acknowledgment that the way progress in each right is demonstrated varies organization by organization.
Because applicants are not competing for limited spots on a list, there’s no fear that a larger organization with deeper pockets automatically edges smaller organizations out of certification.
One of the advantages of having real humans involved in the review process is their ability to use smart, professional judgment in considering demographic nuances. While a company’s progress may be influenced by factors such as company size, journeys to making work more human vary, and we are careful not to judge one as better than another in narrow-minded terms.
A major tenet of the program is its focus on the journey toward a more human workplace rather than recognition of perfection. You may be more ready than you think!
Consider certifying yourself or a team member(s) as a Workhuman Professional first. Establishing internal champions who have a fuller understanding of what it means to work human, and are inspired to advocate for change, is a valuable first step in the journey. It’s open to anyone at no cost at hub.workhuman.com.
Another valuable first step is establishing a baseline of employee perspective in each of the rights. Consider expanding your existing employee survey to include items related to the rights or use the free Moodtracker™ to pulse your workforce on their sentiments related to the rights.
Good news, the review process involves actual humans!
Applications are reviewed by a panel of professionals representing a range of human resources disciplines. The review team is composed of individuals employed by Workhuman and external experts. Reviewers include human resources leaders, human resources consultants, data analysts, and business leaders.
Today the application is only available in English.
Certifications are active for one year from the time of your last certification.
Once you’ve been certified, the recertification process is easy. You only need to submit evidence of your continued progress toward creating a more human workplace at your company. In other words, show us what more you’ve done to progress your commitment further since your last certification.
The spirit of the program is recognizing companies’ commitments to working human, where we’re acknowledging promise, progress, and participation rather than perfection. However, in the unfortunate scenario where evidence emerges suggesting a certified company acts in any manner that undermines a commitment to the Workhuman Charter of Workplace Rights, or as otherwise stated in the Workhuman Certified Terms of Use, we may remove the company from lists of currently certified organizations and request that the company discontinue further use of the Workhuman Certified mark.
While Workhuman Certified is unique in its vision, progressive focus, and openness, it also embraces other programs as strong evidence of your commitment to creating a more human workplace. If you’ve won awards or are certified in good HR practices by another organization, tell us about that as part of your application. We want to honor your achievements, not ask you to duplicate effort or ignore other accolades you’ve earned.
There is no new survey required as part of the application process. We hear that sigh of relief! Why duplicate effort when you’ve likely already surveyed your employees? If you feel your current survey results provide good evidence of your progress in a particular right, we’re happy to consider that data as part of your application.
Applying for Workhuman Certified Enterprise is entirely free.
While we think it’s smart to show the world who you are as an employer, the extent to which you promote and celebrate your certification through your own channels is up to you. We provide you with a media kit to make that easy. We will include your company logo in marketing materials where we showcase certified organizations, but only with your permission.
One of the most important benefits you have as a Workhuman Certified Enterprise is use of the Workhuman Certified mark to showcase your commitment and progress toward making work human. Use the mark in press releases, on your careers site, in social posts, and via internal channels like your intranet and digital signage.
Other benefits of being certified include: access to a community of peers, thought leaders, content and resources – including the Workhuman Hub, an opportunity to attend exclusive events, and co-marketing opportunities. Any and all benefits noted are subject to change in Workhuman’s sole discretion.
Being a Workhuman Certified Professional is an opportunity to not only make a statement about what you believe as an employee and what it means to make the workplace more human, it is also an opportunity to become part of a global community of like-minded business leaders, while supplementing your continuing education and becoming more well-rounded in your role within your organization.
Building upon your existing knowledge and organizational practices, you will learn:
To become a Workhuman Certified Professional, simply visit the Workhuman Hub to register. Then complete the required modules and associated activities for each. The content tracks revolve around the Workhuman Charter of Workplace Rights and reinforce the power of humanity in the workplace to energize cultures, unlock human potential, and unite diverse workforces around a shared purpose.
The Workhuman Professional tracks consist of foundational content, including an introduction to what it means to work human, privacy, sustainability, safety, and how to build a business case, as well as what we believe are the mainstays of a human workplace: Meaningful Work, Gratitude & Recognition, Inclusion and Belonging, Growth, Work-Life Harmony, and Fair Pay.
An important premise of the program, and one that sets it apart, is its focus on a holistic commitment to what it means to work human. Our point of view acknowledges all the certification topics are integral and interconnected in creating positive experiences for employees. Therefore, all the content tracks must be taken to earn the Workhuman Professional certification.
Workhuman Professional is part of the Workhuman movement, pioneered by Workhuman® Live and its global community of like-minded business leaders.
The Workhuman Professional content is managed by Workhuman and developed through a collaborative effort with the entire Workhuman Live community – Workhuman’s own subject matter experts, industry influencers and thought leaders, researchers, other Workhuman Certified Professionals and Enterprises, and Workhuman Live ambassadors.
Today, there is only one level of certification: Workhuman Certified Professional.
Workhuman Professional is for anyone interested in learning more about human-centric workplace practices. Whether you are a business leader, human resources professional, or individual contributor, everyone will find insights applicable to their organizations.
There are no prerequisites or eligibility requirements for becoming a Workhuman Certified Professional. There are no restrictions based on role, previous education, industry, or location.
Any individual at any organization, anywhere in the world, can become a Workhuman Certified Professional. There are no restrictions on company size, industry, or location. Your organization does not need to be a Workhuman customer, nor do they need to be a Workhuman Certified Enterprise.
You can complete the Workhuman Professional program at any time.
Workhuman Professional is self-paced, so you can take the modules at any time when it’s convenient for you. It takes approximately six to eight hours to complete the required content for all 10 modules.
To become a Workhuman Professional, complete the required content for all the modules within 30 days of registering. Not all content in each module is required. You are welcome to log back in at any time to explore the non-required supporting materials to round out your knowledge of each topic.
As soon as you complete the required content for all modules, you are officially a Workhuman Certified Professional! You will receive an email from the Workhuman Hub (hub@workhuman.com) with your certification details. We encourage you to celebrate and share your accomplishment on your LinkedIn profile, which you can do directly from the email.
There is no exam; however, you will be asked to complete various exercises within each of the modules to become a Workhuman Certified Professional.
You will receive your certificate immediately upon completing all the Workhuman Certified Professional modules and associated activities. You can proudly share your certification directly to your LinkedIn profile from your certification confirmation email.
Once you’ve been certified, you can maintain your credentials by attending our Workhuman Live events. Or you may retake the Workhuman Professional modules, which will continuously be refreshed, when your certification expires.
Becoming a Workhuman Certified Professional is entirely free.
On top of the learning and personal satisfaction that comes from completing any continuing education program, you’ll get an inside look at the practices of Workhuman Certified Enterprise organizations and attendance at invitation-only special events for Workhuman Certified Enterprises and Professionals. Additionally, one of the most important benefits you have as a Workhuman Certified Professional is access to a community of like-minded peers and thought leaders, which we’ll be launching early in 2021.
We encourage you to proudly share your accomplishment directly from your certification confirmation email to your LinkedIn profile to let your connections know that you support the Workhuman movement and are part of its global community of like-minded business leaders who believe in a more human approach to work.
