diff --git a/pokemongo_bot/cell_workers/__init__.py b/pokemongo_bot/cell_workers/__init__.py
index 8a700ef5ba..d9198790c7 100644
--- a/pokemongo_bot/cell_workers/__init__.py
+++ b/pokemongo_bot/cell_workers/__init__.py
@@ -12,3 +12,4 @@
 from handle_soft_ban import HandleSoftBan
 from follow_path import FollowPath
 from follow_spiral import FollowSpiral
+from base_task import BaseTask
diff --git a/pokemongo_bot/cell_workers/base_task.py b/pokemongo_bot/cell_workers/base_task.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4d73a68443
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pokemongo_bot/cell_workers/base_task.py
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+class BaseTask(object):
+  def __init__(self, bot, config):
+    self.bot = bot
+    self.config = config
+    self._validate_work_exists()
+    self.initialize()
+
+  def _validate_work_exists(self):
+    method = getattr(self, 'work', None)
+    if not method or not callable(method):
+      raise NotImplementedError('Missing "work" method')
+
+  def initialize(self):
+    pass
diff --git a/pokemongo_bot/test/base_task_test.py b/pokemongo_bot/test/base_task_test.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ed87c44e86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pokemongo_bot/test/base_task_test.py
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+import unittest
+import json
+from pokemongo_bot.cell_workers import BaseTask
+
+class FakeTask(BaseTask):
+    def initialize(self):
+        self.foo = 'foo'
+
+    def work(self):
+        pass
+
+class FakeTaskWithoutInitialize(BaseTask):
+    def work(self):
+        pass
+
+class FakeTaskWithoutWork(BaseTask):
+    pass
+
+class BaseTaskTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.bot = {}
+        self.config = {}
+
+    def test_initialize_called(self):
+        task = FakeTask(self.bot, self.config)
+        self.assertIs(task.bot, self.bot)
+        self.assertIs(task.config, self.config)
+        self.assertEquals(task.foo, 'foo')
+
+    def test_does_not_throw_without_initialize(self):
+        FakeTaskWithoutInitialize(self.bot, self.config)
+
+    def test_throws_without_work(self):
+        self.assertRaisesRegexp(
+            NotImplementedError,
+            'Missing "work" method',
+            FakeTaskWithoutWork,
+            self.bot,
+            self.config
+        )
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    unittest.main()