The first six employers have pledged to use zero-hour contracts only when employees want them, after signing the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter.
Bruntwood, Oldham College, Electricity North West, Rowlinson Knitwear, marketing agency Making You Content and charity Back on Track have signed the charter, designed to improve wages and employment standards.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham launched the Good Employment Charter’s ‘membership tier’ last week alongside Manchester city council leader Sir Richard Leese and Coun Sean Fielding, Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s (GMCA) lead for work and skills.
The charter has seven ‘good employment principles’, including providing a real living wage, recruitment and progression, health and wellbeing and not using “unnecessary” forms of insecure employment, such as temporary, zero hour or agency contracts.
Criteria states members will be expected to provide evidence employees have security over their income, with zero hours contracts ultimately only for those who want them.
A review would take place after 12 weeks of employment and, following that, every six months.
Mr Burnham said: “The Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter is about supporting our employers, helping them to grow and invest in our places, with new and existing jobs right across our city region that are underpinned by a commitment to equality, a real living wage and a positive and productive working environment.
“The evidence suggests that this is a win-win for everyone, with workplaces more productive when employees are happier.
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“I’m delighted to see so many employers stepping forward to share best practice and improve standards – and would encourage others from across Greater Manchester to get involved.”
Jennifer Atkins, people director at Bruntwood, said: “We’re really proud to be one of the first members of the Good Employment Charter as we’re incredibly passionate about everything it stands for.
“From the very beginning, Bruntwood has long worked to the principle that our success is down to our colleagues.
“In return, we want to be able to offer them the opportunity to learn and grow, take their career in new directions and find a balance that works for them; and this is exactly what this charter sets out to achieve.”
She continued: “Being members of the charter gives us the opportunity to demonstrate a solid commitment to our colleagues, to continuously strive for improvement in our culture and people practices, and to share knowledge and best practice with other companies who are committed to being good employers.”
The charter, co-designed with business groups, employers and employees, with trade unions and other experts, launched its ‘supporters’ network in July 2019, which sees businesses “fully support” the charter’s seven ‘good employment principles’.
More than 80 businesses have signed up to become a ‘supporter’, including Lloyds, ITV, GMCVO, Kelloggs, Pozzoni Architecture, Peel L&P and MusicMagpie.