Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter celebrates fifth anniversary

The Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter proudly marks the fifth anniversary of its first members joining the initiative. 

Launched in 2020 with just six members, the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter is a voluntary membership and assessment scheme designed to promote good employment practices in the city-region. The Charter now has 128 Members and nearly 1,000 Supporters, collectively impacting the lives of more than 200,000 employees in Greater Manchester.

The Charter counts employers from all sectors and of all sizes among its Members, from small businesses like Stockport’s One+All, Datesand and Firstplay Dietary Foods, to some of Greater Manchester’s largest employers in Northern Care Alliance and The University of Manchester. 

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

“Today [29th January], we’re celebrating a significant milestone—the 5th anniversary of the first employers achieving Membership of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter. As we celebrate five years of progress, I want to say a big thank you to everyone has contributed to our success – our Members and Supporters, the Charter team, and the wide range of partner organisations who have championed our movement.

“The Charter began with a clear ambition: to make Greater Manchester a place where working for a good employer is the norm, not the exception. Our Members and Supporters have made a clear commitment to fair pay, secure work and flexible working – and in return benefit from better productivity and staff retention.

“But our mission is far from over. We want to grow our movement even further and raise employment standards in all jobs across Greater Manchester.”

The Charter’s members and supporters have demonstrated exceptional dedication to creating workplaces where people are paid fairly for their work, treated appropriately and provided with inclusive opportunity.

Donald Moore, Chair of Stockport-based B Corp schoolwear business, One+All, commented:

“We are proud to be part of the Good Employment Charter. We have learned so much in the past five years in collaborating with others and learning from the sessions that the team organise. We hope that many more employers will see the benefit of joining the Charter to improve. Congratulations, it’s been a brilliant journey and here’s to the next five years and beyond!”

Ian MacArthur, Director of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, said,

“The world of work has changed dramatically over the past five years, but the Charter has offered a constant framework enabling Greater Manchester’s employers to create supportive, happy and productive workplaces, despite the social and economic upheavals. Charter members now regularly report higher retention rates and increased productivity.

“Looking ahead, the Charter is now the place where employers of all sizes and sectors can join others in readiness for the forthcoming employment rights legislation. To be part of the good employment movement employers should sign up as a Charter Supporter. The Charter will continue to lead the way to ensure Greater Manchester is synonymous with good work and opportunity for all.”