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In last month's article, focusing on the Quaker contribution to the popularization of chocolate, I noted that the subject of how Quaker firms carried their faith into their business practices and labor relations deserved a separate article. This month I focus on the social reform efforts of the Cadbury family, founder of Cadbury's chocolates, including treatment of their labor force. While this article covers only the work of the Cadburys, it should be noted that they were far from unique among Quaker business people. Many other Friends (Quakers) active in the business world also treated their workers far better than many other businesses, and involved themselves in social reform efforts. Cadburys' Social Concerns For a considerable time, the Cadbury family was prominent both in the life of the city of Birmingham, England, and in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). They sought to put Quaker testimonies such as that of human equality before God into practice. Even the choice of chocolate as a line of business related to their Quaker testimonies. John Cadbury, the founder of the Cadbury chocolate business, was active all his life in the temperance society. He felt alcohol was a major cause of poverty and other ills among working people. He saw cocoa and chocolate as an alternative to alcohol. The Cadburys were involved in social reforms far beyond those directly impacting their own business. John Cadbury led a campaign to ban the use of climbing boys to sweep chimneys. He was also a leader in the struggle against animal cruelty, forming the Animals Friend Society, a forerunner of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Members of the Cadbury family, particularly George Cadbury and George Cadbury Jr., were actively involved as teachers in the adult school movement to provide education to the working classes. Labor Relations The Cadburys were pioneers in employee welfare and labor relations, setting standards which other enlightened employers adopted. Cadbury Brothers was the first firm to introduce the Saturday half-day holiday, and also pioneered in closing the factory on bank holidays. In 1918, Cadbury Brothers established democratically elected Works Councils, one for men and one for women. Departments elected representatives to these Councils by secret ballot. The Councils dealt with working conditions, health, safety, education, training, and the social life of the workers.
The copyright of the article The Cadburys - Quaker Social Reformers in Quakerism is owned by Bill Samuel. Permission to republish The Cadburys - Quaker Social Reformers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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