Developing a Good Employment Charter for Greater Manchester

Closed 26 Nov 2018

Opened 3 Oct 2018

Contact

Nick Fairclough

goodwork@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk

Feedback updated 22 Jul 2019

We asked

Building on our first consultation on the development of a Good Employment Charter, which took place in Spring 2018, we asked for views on the Charter model that had been developed up to that point. This included:

  • The suitability of the proposed tiers of the Charter:
    • Supporters
    • Members
    • Advocates
  • How Charter membership is assessed
  • How the success of the Charter will be evaluated

You said

Feedback was received from the online consultation, emailed and posted responses, face-to-face consultation sessions with employers across the city-region and from members of the Greater Manchester Economy, Business and Growth Scrutiny Committee and Business Advisory Panel.

Feedback and recurring comments about the Charter included:

  • More than 95% of consultees thought that employers should be able to sign up as Supporters of the Charter.
  • More than 90% agreed or strongly agreed with the proposal for Membership of the
    Charter.
  • More than 95% agreed or strongly agreed with the proposal for Charter Advocates.
  • The need for a stronger and clearer narrative around diversity and inclusion within the Charter.
  • The need for clarity around the flexible working characteristics and what this meant for zero hours contracts.
  • The need for clarity around whether the criteria for Charter membership must be met across an organisation or only for employees based in Greater Manchester.
  • Discussion of the role of well-being in the Charter.
  • Points around the relevance of the Charter to workers, as well as direct employees.
  • The importance of marketing and creating a brand for the Charter.
  • The potential role of ‘anchor’ institutions in spreading the Charter to supply chains.
  • Ways in which the Charter could be evaluated.
  • A large number of proposed sources of support for employers.

We did

Based on the feedback received we have further developed the Good Employment Charter model and addressed a number of the comments raised. The model itself, incluidng the three tiers, was agreed by the Combined Authority at its meeting on 1st March 2019: https://www.gmcameetings.co.uk/download/meetings/id/4279/12_gm_good_employment_charter 
 

The first of the tiers, suporter membership, was launched on 22 July 2019. You can find out more, and register your interest here: http://www.gmgoodemploymentcharter.co.uk/

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

Greater Manchester is developing a Good Employment Charter. The aim of the Charter is to help employers reach excellent employment standards and become more successful as a result.

  • Greater Manchester must be a place where people can fulfil their ambitions.
     
  • That means making it a place where people want to live and work, whether they are setting up their own business or working as an employee.
     
  • We are therefore setting out a vision of good employment – jobs which are secure, fairly paid and fulfilling, with opportunities to progress and develop.
     
  • Good employment is a win-win for Greater Manchester’s employers – whether they are in the private, public or voluntary and community sectors – because employers who are the best at engaging and supporting their employees are the most successful.

Why your views matter

Throughout 2018 we have been working with employers, employees and others on what should be in the Charter, and how it should be structured. We consulted earlier in the year on what should be in a Charter - you can read a summary of the consultation responses at the bottom of this page.

Based on that earlier consultation, we believe that good employment is:   

  • Flexible working for those who need it, but security and predictability for those who want it and are working regular hours, with no place for exclusive contracts which stop people on flexible contracts working for others.
     
  • A job which is fairly paid, providing a secure route to a decent living standard.
     
  • A job where the voice of employees is valued so that they can shape their roles and contribute to the success of the organisation.
     
  • Fair opportunities to get a job, develop and progress, whatever your circumstances, background or challenges you face.

We are now seeking your views on our draft Employment Charter, which will help us finalise what it looks like for people across Greater Manchester.

We particularly want to hear from employers and employees in the private, public and voluntary and community sectors, people working in organisations responsible for employment practices, and representative bodies such as business groups and trade unions. Please share details of this survey with anyone you think will be interested.

It should take no longer than 15 minutes to answer these questions.

Audiences

  • Businesses
  • Community, voluntary sector and social enterprises
  • Schools, colleges and universities
  • Academics
  • Public sector partners

Interests

  • Combined Authority
  • Mayor of Greater Manchester
  • Economy
  • Skills