Written by Director of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, Ian MacArthur (December 2025)

I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this year has flown by. Perhaps the old saying is true: time really does fly when you’re having fun! For us, 2025 has been a defining year, - one where the good employment agenda has taken centre stage nationally, and the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter has truly come of age, recognised for its credibility and sustainability.

The Government’s Employment Rights Bill has dominated headlines and sparked more debate than almost any other national issue. The question of whether the most significant change in employment law for a generation will drive growth or hinder it has oscillated back and forth, mirroring the Bill’s own journey between the Commons and the Lords. Over a year since its introduction, it still awaits Royal Assent.

While delays and uncertainty can make planning difficult, Greater Manchester is ahead of the curve. Much of what the Bill proposes is already embedded in our Charter. For six years, we’ve worked with employers of all sectors and sizes to implement good employment practices that support colleagues and drive business growth. Our employers understand the principle of reciprocal maintenance: ‘looking after the things that look after you’.

Of course, in today’s economic climate, it’s not always easy to see change as an investment rather than a cost, or a perceived risk as a potential benefit. Legislation framed around ‘rights’ can sharpen scepticism. Yet our community of over 1,200 employers proves that peer support and a shared commitment to excellence delivers real economic benefits - and a calm sense of preparedness for what’s ahead.

Greater Manchester’s leadership in this space has been recognised nationally. In January, the then Minister Justin Madders MP met with Charter Board members and employers to discuss the Bill. Later that month, Sir Charlie Mayfield, leading the Keep Britain Working review, engaged with Charter employers to explore how good work attracts and retains talent. And in June, the then Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, attended our annual awards, witnessing first-hand the very best employment practices. Many congratulations once more to all our winners, but especially Datesand, our well-deserved employer of the year.

This progress rests on a strong foundation of Charter activity and partnership. Our monthly Share and Learn sessions have become a cornerstone for members to exchange ideas. Quarterly networking events connect like-minded organisations, while video case studies and podcasts produced by our team amplify and promote best practice across the city region.

One standout achievement in 2025 was the development and launch of the Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice in October. Driven by the Mayor’s commitment and championed by Dr Shirley Woods-Gallagher, this pioneering code - the first of its kind in the UK - sets a baseline for employers to engage with neurodiversity best practice. Its impact was immediate - over 16,000 visits to the resource page within 19 days of the launch. We know its influence will endure and will inform our future work, particularly the implementation of the Keep Britain Working review.

November brought our annual Good Employment Week. Despite having to move it to the darker winter months, enthusiasm and engagement remained high. We published our commissioned report from the Centre for Local Economic Strategies provided a glimpse of the evidence that good work drives productivity and profitability -a message we’ll continue to champion in the years ahead.

Good Employment Week also sparked conversations about the future. Charters like ours cannot stand still, especially as legislation begins to match the standards we’ve set. So, what’s next? We know good employers already have the fundamentals in place. But true excellence lies in values-driven leadership and cultures that foster respect and dignity. These themes and more, will shape our work in 2026 as we co-create new, inspiring elements of the Charter, keeping Greater Manchester at the forefront of good employment and good growth.

Thank you to all who have been a part of this movement.