All Characteristics
Resources to support employers in all characteristics of good employment.
Acas Resources
Acas is an independent, publicly-funded organisation that provides up-to-date information, independent advice, high quality training and works with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance.
As of a partner of the GM Good Employment Charter, Acas has provided a document outlining their resources available to employers including online guidance, open access training, in-company training, and in-depth advisory work across the seven characteristics of good employment.
CIPD Resources
CIPD is the professional body for experts in people at work, championing better work and working lives by setting professional standards for HR and people development, as well as driving positive change in the world of work.
Access resources from CIPD, including research and insights, guidance and fact sheets, as well as podcasts and other useful tools to help you understand and meet the seven good employment characteristics set out in the Charter for Greater Manchester.
Flexible Work
Resources for extending flexible work.
Good Employment Charter and Timewise: A Line Managers Guide | December 2021
In partnership with Timewise, an award-winning social business and the UK’s leading experts on flexible working.
We explore how employers can redesign workplaces for a post-covid world.
Good Employment Charter and Timewise: How and When to Ask for Flexible Working | September 2022
In partnership with Timewise, an award-winning social business and the UK’s leading experts on flexible working.
We explore how jobseekers can seek flexible working options. It takes you through the different processes for when to ask, and how to ask in a way that improves your chances of getting the arrangement you’re looking for.
Timewise: Improving Flexible Working in Construction | June 2021
Timewise is a social consultancy, aiming to create a fairer workplace for all.
Informed by their flexible working pilots with Build UK and four leading construction firms, Timewise have developed this 10 point plan to summarise the critical steps for employers to take when setting out to improve flexible working in their organisation. These steps can be used to improve flexible working across all roles in the construction sector, but they are primarily design for those with site-based jobs.
CIPD: Hybrid Working Practical Guidance | November 2021
CIPD is the professional body for experts in people at work, championing better work and working lives by setting professional standards for HR and people development, as well as driving positive change in the world of work.
This paper contains information about hybrid working, including the implementation and further resources for your organisation.
TfGM Business Portal
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is the public body responsible for co-ordinating transport services throughout Greater Manchester.
To help businesses to encourage and enable sustainable travel choices as part of a safe, inclusive and resilient recovery for all, TfGM has launched a business portal with useful information on funding, support and resources available.
ACAS Flexible Work CoP Consultation Workshop | August 2023
The Acas consultation on the draft Code of Practice on handling requests for flexible working - Report on a Good Employment Charter Consultation Workshop held on the 1st of August 2023.
The Consultation Document sets out 11 questions on different aspects of the Code of Practice. In the workshop, working in groups attendees were asked to consider each question, discuss within their group/table and then record their views on a single flipchart with voting dots and post-it note comments.
Pay
Resources for supporting fair pay.
Living Wage Foundation Resources
The Living Wage Foundation are an organisation which campaign for employers to pay a Living Wage and offer accreditation to employers that pay the Real Living Wage.
This resource page offers guidance, resources and information regarding the Real Living Wage, and information about the businesses who are already accredited.
CIPD: Tackling In-Work Poverty | February 2023
CIPD is the professional body for experts in people at work, championing better work and working lives by setting professional standards for HR and people development, as well as driving positive change in the world of work.
Their 'Tackling In-Work Poverty' page has been created in collaboration with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, to raise awareness of in-work poverty and encourage employers to help loosen poverty’s grip.
CIPD: Ethnicity Pay Reporting | January 2019
The CIPD has hosted a series of roundtable discussions in London, Manchester, Leicester, Edinburgh, and Cardiff to gather member views on the potential challenges, approaches, and processes that ethnicity pay reporting could bring.
As well as this, the CIPD created a survey for HR professionals and consultants which received more than 240 responses.
GMCA: Real Living Wage Testimonials from Greater Manchester Employers
Read testimonials from Greater Manchester employers in different sectors who have already signed up to the real Living Wage and the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter.
Engagement and Voice
Resources for utilising employee engagement and voice.
Stribe eBook: Fix Your Employee Engagement Problem | June 2023
Stribe is a tool that allows employers to gather frequent engagement insights using pulse surveys, creating a safe and trusted space for employees to speak up, and provide feedback. Employers can also track particular feedback, and gain insights that are easy to implement.
Their eBook 'Fix your employee engagement problem' is a guide to getting the most out of employee pulse surveys, and making employee engagement integral to an organisation.
Stribe Step By Step Guide: How to Respond to Negative Employee Feedback | July 2023
This blog offers actionable strategies for HR leaders to respond effectively to negative employee feedback, emphasizing active listening, accountability, and involvement in finding solutions. It also provides follow-up questions to gain deeper insights and foster a collaborative approach to resolving issues.
CIPD: Trades Union Fact Sheet | July 2022
CIPD have collated all the necessary and most useful information about Trade Unions for employers, including the UK legal position and working with trade unions. Rachel Suff, Senior Employee Relations Adviser at CIPD, is responsible for influencing CIPD policy thinking on employment relations and health. She has over 25 years’ experience in the employment and HR arena.
Recruitment
Resources for developing excellent recruitment practices.
Good Employment Charter: Schools & Colleges Learner Pack | June 2023
The Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, in partnership with Wigan & Leigh College and the EY Foundation, have developed a Schools and Colleges guide for learners. This paper discusses the different questions a student could ask at the recruitment stage, to better enable their understanding of the organisation and practice.
Good Employment Charter: Schools & Colleges Educator Pack | June 2023
The Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, in partnership with Wigan & Leigh College and the EY Foundation, have developed a Schools and Colleges guide for educators. This pack supports educators to deliver lessons and activities on good employment practice for learners. It contains a number of activities and information to support.
Diversity and Inclusion in Recruitment - Robert Walters Research Paper | May 2022
Robert Walters is a specialist professional recruitment consultancy, working with businesses of all sizes as a trusted recruitment partner.
This research paper, based on a survey of over 450 employers, examines new tools and technology that can help businesses reach new sources of talent, explores strategies to develop a company culture that embraces diversity, and addresses the hurdles faced when creating a collaborative, diverse workforce.
National Crime Agency: Modern Slavery in the Construction Sector | July 2023
The NCA (National Crime Agency) is a national law enforcement agency in the United Kingdom. They have produced this document informing people about the construction sector being one of the UK’s largest and most important economic sectors and one which is vulnerable to the threat of modern slavery.
Access resources, including research, insights, guidance, fact sheets and more.
Good Recruitment for Older Workers: a Guide for Employers | October 2021
Centre for Ageing is an organisation focused on researching and addressing various aspects related to the aging process and the well-being of elderly individuals.
This recruitment guide is based on their Good Recruitment for Older Workers (GROW) project findings and has been published in partnership with the CIPD and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). It is designed to help organisations recognise the negative role that age-related discrimination plays in recruitment processes and provide practical suggestions for employers to become more age-inclusive.
Inspiring Change Manchester: Fair recruitment and employing people who have experienced disadvantage | 2022
This document wishes to share ideas and examples from Inspiring Change Manchester (ICM) and beyond about fair recruitment and employing people who have experienced multiple disadvantage which can be used in all roles and sectors.
People Management
Resources for improving people management and progression.
Good Employment Charter: Leadership for Good Employment Discussion Paper | January 2023
The Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, in partnership with Gillian Drakeford, Former Global Executive and UK CEO for IKEA, have developed a discussion paper. This paper discusses the different aspects of strong leadership, and will provide recommendations on how leaders and managers can take these steps.
This contains contributions from Social, Common Purpose, Wigan & Leigh College, CIPD, the GM Integrated Care Partnership, and SA Consulting to provide a well-rounded reflections on the different leadership qualities established at the beginning.
Good Employment Charter: Soft Skills in Hard Times Paper | April 2021
The Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, in partnership with CIPD and Acas, have developed a guide. It discusses the importance, implementation and effect of positive people management skills.
This guide invites employers to explore short and longer-term strategies to enhance the people management skills within their organisation. It also contains several key relevant resources, which will help guide these plans even further.
Good Employment Charter: Soft Skills in Hard Times Roundtable Paper | June 2021
The Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, in partnership with CIPD and Acas, held a virtual roundtable on essential People Management skills.
This Roundtable brought together a range of Greater Manchester employers. Discussions explored the management challenges the pandemic has presented and that lie ahead as the economy recovers. Sharing their experiences, the conversation focussed on the five key behavioural traits identified in the guide, that all managers need to both engage their employees in productive work and support their health and wellbeing.
Health & Wellbeing
Resources for fostering employee health and wellbeing.
BHA For Equality - HIV in the Workplace; a guide for Employers and Employees | September 2023
The PaSH Partnership has created a new resource that will support employers to reduce HIV stigma within the workplace, and to ensure that employees living with HIV are protected from discrimination.
The guide will also help working people living with HIV to understand the rights and protection enshrined in The Equality Act 2010, and help them advocate for those rights if necessary.
The Good Employment Charter Mental Health Toolkit | May 2022
Partnered with the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, The Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter is working to promote how to take care of health in the workplace.
The Mental Health Toolkit for Employers includes information and key approaches employers can take to address Mental Health and Wellbeing in the workplace. This resource is applicable to SMEs and larger firms.
GM Health Hub Guidance
The Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority have developed the GM Health Hub, full of free health and wellbeing resources to ensure people across Greater Manchester enjoy happier, healthier lives.
The GM Health Hub contains guidance and signposts to support on a range of topics, including smoking, drinking, nutrition, physical activity and mental health.
GreaterSport Active Workplace Toolkit
GreaterSport is a charity that is changing lives through physical activity and sport to help make Greater Manchester the most active region in England.
The Active Workplace Toolkit is a free, one stop shop to help you get your workplace moving more. With information ranging from explaining the business case for physically active employees, ways to embed activity within the working day and success stories from other organisations across Greater Manchester.
Mind Resources for Businesses
Mind is a mental health charity which provides advice and support for anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They also campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
This resource page outlines the various free resources they offer to help organisations develop open and supportive workplaces. This includes a mental health at work commitment guide, guide to wellness action plans, and advice on how to support staff that are experiencing mental health problems.
Remploy Disability Guide | October 2021
Remploy is a leading provider of specialist employment and skills support for disabled people and those with health conditions.
This document provides practical advice for employers in supporting disabled people and those with long term health conditions in the workplace.
Maternity Action: Managing pregnancy, maternity and parental leave in the workplace | June 2023
The toolkit aims to make it easier for employers to meet their legal requirements and support pregnant women and new parents by providing a range of practical information and clear, easy to follow guidance.
The information has been developed by Maternity Action’s in-house legal team, with expert knowledge of maternity rights at work.
Business in the Community - Sleep and Recovery: a toolkit for employers | January 2018
Small to medium-sized businesses can be adversely affected when key staff are absent due to illness, or when fatigue prevents them from performing at their best. Sleep quality and recovery after sleep deprivation are vital for employees. This toolkit provides information on how to create an environment where employees understand the importance of sleep and recovery and can make healthy choices.
Office for Veterans' Affairs - An employers’ guide to hiring veterans | October 2023
Businesses of all sizes can take advantage of this toolkit to assist veterans and members of the Armed Forces community into employment, providing information and guidance about what our veterans can offer.
Bliss - Parental leave for parents of babies in neonatal care | May 2023
Bliss is a UK charity that champions the right of every baby born premature or sick to receive the best care. They achieve this by empowering families, influencing policy and practice, and enabling life-changing research.
This toolkit provides insights into key questions: what constitutes Neonatal Care, the reasons behind the necessity for extended parental leave and financial support, the significance of parental presence in neonatal care for infants, upcoming entitlements for employees, strategies to ensure comprehensive employee support, advantages for employers and examples of how other businesses are implementing neonatal leave and pay policies.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Resources for supporting equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Good Employment Charter: Racism in the Workplace Roundtable Paper | September 2021
The Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter recognises that good employment is founded on workplace cultures that are fair and equitable to all. Racism has no place in our society and the importance of speaking out against racism in the workplace is critical.
Sharing our participants experiences, the discussion provides advice on how employers can adjust their approach, and begin their journey to providing an inclusive environment.
Acas: Improving Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Your Workplace
Acas is an independent, publicly-funded organisation that provides up-to-date information, independent advice, high quality training and works with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance.
Acas have developed key guidance on improving equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace including policy templates, fair recruitment advice and diversity monitoring forms.
Acas: Talking About Disability at Work | December 2022
Acas is an independent, publicly-funded organisation that provides up-to-date information, independent advice, high quality training and works with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance.
Acas have developed key guidance on supporting disabled people at work, including information on: talking about disability, managing long-term conditions, disability related absences, and the important legal frameworks.
CIPD: Diversity and Inclusion
CIPD is the professional body for experts in people at work, championing better work and working lives by setting professional standards for HR and people development, as well as driving positive change in the world of work.
Their 'Diversity and Inclusion' page includes resources on a number of workplace diversity and inclusion issues such as disability, gender, race, religion and sexual orientation. These resources include guides, tools, courses and podcasts.
CIPD: Ethnicity Pay Reporting | January 2019
The CIPD has hosted a series of roundtable discussions in London, Manchester, Leicester, Edinburgh, and Cardiff to gather member views on the potential challenges, approaches, and processes that ethnicity pay reporting could bring.
As well as this, the CIPD created a survey for HR professionals and consultants which received more than 240 responses.
Alzheimer's Society: Guidance for dementia-friendly organisations | October 2023
Alzheimer’s Society works towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. They do this by giving help to those living with dementia today, and providing hope for the future.
This resource offers guidance for employers to help create dementia friendly workforces. It also offers sector specific information for businesses and retail; housing, utilities and technology; arts, entertainments, sport and leisure; financial services; legal and insurance; public services; health, social care and emergency services and rural and faith
Centre for Ageing Better: Becoming an Age Friendly Employer Guide | September 2018
The Centre for Ageing Better is a charity, working to create a society where everyone enjoys later life. They create change in policy and practice, informed by evidence, and work with partners across England to improve employment, housing, health and communities.
Their 'Becoming an Age Friendly Employer' guide is a comprehensive description of how to be more inclusive of an ageing workforce, with five key actions that employers can take to improve the way they recruit, support and retain older workers.
GM Equality Alliance: Inclusive Language Guidance
The GM Equality Alliance (GM=EqAl) is a coalition of organisations and individuals drawn from a wide range of communities of experience across Greater Manchester.
Access their 'Inclusive Language' guidance, which supports on language surrounding race and ethnicity, disability, gender, and more.
The Clear Company: Racism in the Workplace
The Clear Company is a diversity consultancy that helps organisations ensure inclusive recruitment and employment. They aim to make sure that diversity and inclusion are accessible to all types and size of business, whatever stage they are at in their inclusion journey.
Access their 'Taking action against Racism in the workplace' resources, which includes an Anti Racism toolkit, Race in the workplace audit, and training programmes which are relevant across the characteristics of Good Employment.
Maternity Action: Managing Pregnancy, Maternity and Parental Leave in the Workplace | June 2023
The toolkit aims to make it easier for employers to meet their legal requirements and support pregnant women and new parents by providing a range of practical information and clear, easy to follow guidance.
The information has been developed by Maternity Action’s in-house legal team, with expert knowledge of maternity rights at work.
Quality Standards
Quality standards that will demonstrate good practice in this characteristic are
Quality standards that will demonstrate good practice in this characteristic are
The simplest and best way for an employer to demonstrate meeting this characteristic is to become an accredited Living Wage Employer with the Living Wage Foundation.
Quality standards that will demonstrate good practice in this characteristic is Investors in People.
Quality standards that will demonstrate good practice in this characteristic are
Quality standards that will demonstrate good practice in this characteristic are
- Investors in People
- Valuing People Management (British Standard BS76000)
- Timewise, Best Companies (The Sunday Times)
- Trusted Charity (previously PQASSO)
- Workplace Wellbeing Charter
- Disability Confident Scheme
- Investors in Diversity
- B Corporation
- Matrix Standard
- Ofsted – Education Inspection Framework
Quality standards that will demonstrate good practice in this characteristic are
Resources to offer?
If you have any resources or support services that could help employers in and around Greater Manchester improve practices in the characteristics of good employment, please contact us!