Carol Halford, Manager of the Charter Implementation Unit from the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, recently gave Business Connect Magazine an insight into what the Charter represented.
What is the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter?
“The Charter is a voluntary membership and assessment scheme. It was created to improve employment standards across Greater Manchester employers, regardless of size, sector or geography. Our vision is for Greater Manchester to be recognised as a place where people are paid fairly for their work, treated appropriately, and provided with inclusive opportunities. We also want to see the city region’s economy thrive, with organisations that are productive and effective at the heart of it.”
Can anyone join the Charter network?
“Organisations including public sector bodies, private sector businesses, service providers, the third sector, and voluntary and community organisations are welcome to sign up to the Charter. This is specific to Greater Manchester.”
What are the characteristics of the Charter?
“The Charter seeks commitment and excellent practice across seven key characteristics of good employment:
- Secure Work
- Flexible Work
- Pay
- Engagement & Voice
- Recruitment
- People Management
- Health & Wellbeing
“We are also driven to develop diverse, equal and truly inclusive working conditions. By promoting the benefits of equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, we aim to support employers to create environments that embrace our characteristics of Good Employment in ways that ensure fair pay, opportunity and progression to all. These issues are central to the fulfilment of Good Employment.”
How can employers benefit from joining the Charter network?
“There are multiple business benefits to joining the Charter.
“Firstly, employers can significantly improve their employees lives – with help from our specialised and exclusive support, resources and guidance.
“Secondly, employers can become part of a Greater Manchester business community, beaming with like-minded employers who have the opportunity to connect, network, and share good practice.
“Finally, improving employment practice is not only ‘right’ to do, but it enables employers to achieve more – with proven business benefits, and a contribution to the overall direction of Greater Manchester being a good place to live and work.“
How can employers join the Charter network?
“The process of signing up to the Charter at our entry tier
could not be simpler. Employers can visit our website and fill out a quick 1-page Supporter Registration form. The form acts as a commitment, whereby employers commit to fully supporting the Charter’s seven characteristics and improving their employment practice. Joining the Charter network is free, and open to organisations of all sizes and sectors.”
What are the different stages of involvement?
“There are two stages involved. Our entry tier is the Supporter tier, where an employer commits to working towards our seven characteristics of Good Employment. The next tier is Membership, where employers with demonstrable good practice can be recognised against a thorough assessment process.”
How can Supporters progress to Membership?
“Supporters can progress to membership provided they can demonstrate the changes they have made within the seven characteristics of the Charter. The process involves working through a rigorous assessment, with the help and guidance of our advisors. The assessment is then cross examined by our technical panel and finally the Charter’s board members.”
How else could employers get involved in the Charter?
“We host several hybrid events throughout the year which bring our network together. This includes in-person networking events, monthly webinars, exclusive coffee chats and masterclasses. And most recently our Greater Manchester Good Employment Awards, where Good Employment practice will be recognised across the city region.”
What support is available to employers?
“There is plenty of support available to our network. This includes personalised 1-to-1 support from our advisors, invitations to our events, and exclusive industry-standard resources, toolkits, and guides. We also have a podcast series.”
What does your Podcast speak about?
“The Greater Manchester Good Employment Chatter Podcast has two series, and 16 episodes. Hosted by the Director of the Charter, Ian MacArthur. Each episode delivers the best analysis of industry news, and tackles workplace challenges to spread awareness of the Good Employment practice that is needed to make Greater Manchester stronger, and fairer to all. Our podcast shares crucial Good Employment advice
from employers and policy experts across the city region.”
Join the movement:
or visit: gmgoodemploymentcharter.co.uk/contact-us
