Article first published by ProAge
Launched in 2019, U Work has grown steadily and is now an established part of Unilever’s approach to the future of work. Today, more than one thousand people are part of the U Work programme globally, delivering tens of thousands of working days each year across a wide range of roles and functions. In the UK, U Work supports teams across areas including marketing, research and development, supply chain, HR, finance and IT.
What is U Work
U Work reimagines the traditional employment relationship. Instead of fixed hours or permanent roles, participants join a talent pool on a retainer contract. They receive a monthly retainer and access to core benefits such as pension and healthcare, whether or not they are actively working on an assignment.
Participants work on short term assignments that typically range from a few days to several months. They can choose when to accept work and can say no if the timing does not suit them. This flexibility is central to the model and allows people to shape work around their lives.
As U-Work Manager Rhiannon Senn explains, the scheme attracts employees at all life and career stages; “We have U-workers from early career professionals to those in their sixties and beyond. A significant proportion of participants are over the age of forty-five, supporting longer and more flexible working lives and helping Unilever retain valuable experience.”
How U Work works
U Work participants remain Unilever employees and are matched to assignments based on skills, experience and business need. Many participants have previously worked at Unilever, allowing them to move quickly into roles with minimal onboarding and deliver value from day one.
Since the pilot began, 225 employees have collectively delivered 296,000 hours on 1,150 assignments, and more than 475 managers have used U Work to fill capability gaps across the business.
U-Work also supports portfolio careers and life transitions. Participants use the flexibility to balance work with caring responsibilities, study, running businesses, volunteering or preparing for retirement, while continuing to contribute their skills.
Rhiannon continues; “It’s a very adult-to-adult relationship - a win-win for both sides.”
U Work stories
The impact of U Work is best understood through the experiences of the people taking part.
Claire is a marketing professional and author who joined U Work while navigating early parenthood. She found that full-time work no longer suited her circumstances. Through U Work, she has been able to balance project-based marketing roles with writing and family life. She describes the experience as life-changing and says it helped her reconnect with work she genuinely enjoys and values.
Claire Linney
Award winning author
Dave returned to Unilever after retiring, motivated by a desire to continue contributing and supporting colleagues. Through U Work, he has been able to share his experience and provide valuable support across teams, without the commitment of a traditional role. He values the flexibility and sees U Work as a positive and straightforward way to stay involved and give back.
Dave Hayes
Factory Shift Operator
Benefits for people and the business
Feedback from participants shows strong engagement and satisfaction, with most choosing to remain in the programme year after year. Many report improved wellbeing, better work life balance and a greater sense of control over how they work.
For Unilever, U Work provides fast access to trusted and experienced talent. It reduces reliance on external hiring, shortens time to productivity and helps retain critical skills and institutional knowledge. The model also supports inclusion by offering flexible opportunities that work for people at different stages of life and circumstances.
Perhaps the most powerful insight from the last five years is how U‑Work flips the script. In an era where talent mobility often means attrition, this model offers the opportunity for people to step away without severing ties and return when the time is right.
As Rhiannon notes,
“U Work people are opting in as a consequence, it feels like they’re happier.”
“For Unilever, this loyalty not only supports continuity but also builds advocacy and a robust talent pipeline ready when the business needs it most.”
Looking ahead
As U Work continues to evolve, Unilever aims to expand the programme further across the UK and beyond. By offering choice, trust and flexibility, U Work reflects how we are shaping the future of work and supporting people to contribute in ways that work for them and for the business.