This survey has now closed.
Many Thanks to those of you who responded to our consultation in Spring 2020 on developing Liverpool City Region’s first ever Fair Employment Charter. Most responses were supportive of our suggested approach, and requirements and we look forward to these being reflected in the final Charter.
The COVID-19 Pandemic put into sharp focus the importance of many of the aims of the Charter, and it also meant that we were unable to hold as many stakeholder events as we had planned.
As a result, and taking into account feedback from the Spring consultation, we have developed some areas of the Charter to reflect what respondents told us. There are also number of areas about which we are keen to gain further insight from businesses, employees and all who are interested in Fair Employment. We are also looking to make sure that we put Healthy and Safe working and workplaces at the heart of our Charter, so we are keen to hear feedback on a new and distinct pillar focusing on making sure that the Charter encourages and recognises safe workplaces that support a healthy workforce.
With this in mind we are seeking further thoughts on these areas before publishing our final Charter early next year. Please fill in the survey here and thank you for supporting our drive for Fair Employment across Liverpool City Region.
| HEALTHY | FAIR | INCLUSIVE | JUST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe workplaces supporting a healthy workforce | Fair pay and fair hours | Inclusive workplaces that support staff to grow and develop | A voice for staff to help deliver justice in the workplace with opportunities available for young people
|
| A commitment to ensuring a safe and healthy working environment whether in the workplace, on the road or in the home | A defined set of hours available to each worker, with minimal use of unstable and temporary contracts. | A recognised Equality Policy representing all protected characteristics and proactive commitment to inclusivity and diversity in recruitment and retention. | An independent voice for staff in the workplace with trade union recognition and membership encouraged and valued. |
| Understanding the importance of mental and physical health to wellbeing and productivity. Flexible working available to support work-life balance and community or caring commitments | Fair pay, offering Real Living Wage or above and a commitment to supporting local partnership and co-operation in Liverpool City Region | The chance to access training so that staff can perform, develop, and be managed positively and effectively. Additionally there should be procedures to recognise and support performance that involve and are supported by staff. | Building a fair future through opportunities, apprenticeships and work experience for young people. |
Aspiring, Accredited, Ambassadors – a structure for a Fair Employment Charter
We believe that the above Commitments represent what a Fair, Inclusive and Just employer could look like. But we also know that in order to make Liverpool City Region the best place to work in the country, then we need to build a movement that supports and recognises those businesses and employers who share our aim and who want to be part of this journey.
Employers who wish to play their part in becoming part of a fairer, more inclusive, and just City Region are invited to join the Fair Employment charter as Aspiring members
We think that Aspiring members could be required to;
- Give a public commitment to support the aims and values of the Fair Employment Charter – for example on a website or marketing materials
- Recognise the importance of secure working, staff voice, fair pay and training in the workplace
- Display their “Aspiring” commitment in the workplace for staff, partners and customers
- Start work to audit their practices, moving them on a pathway to accreditation
- Commit to meeting the membership requirements within an agreed timeframe
When employers are ready to progress we would then encourage them to become Accredited. We will agree a framework of measures which employers will need to achieve to become accredited and we hope the support provided to Aspiring employers will help them on the journey to accreditation
Accreditation to the Liverpool City Region Fair Employment Charter is a welcome display of a commitment to delivering fair and positive working practices. However, our commitment to fairness, inclusivity and justice has never stood still, and there are many examples of how employers can and do go beyond the commitments outlined in the charter.
Ambassadors for a Fairer, more inclusive and just city region
As well as welcoming businesses at the start of their Fairness journey, we also want to recognise those who are going the extra mile themselves and who are supporting other businesses to meet the charter’s requirements.
Ambassadors for our Fair Employment Charter will meet the requirements when they are confirmed following consultation. They will also display a commitment to be a leading voice and proponent of the objectives of the charter, seeking to support fellow LCR businesses, whilst also working to narrow the gaps and remove the barriers that continue to mean that our economy is not accessible or inclusive to some.
They could use their accredited status as a platform to:
- Provide support via case studies or similar to promote the scheme
- Demonstrate a commitment to recognising other Charter holders in procurement and spend – e.g. by supporting LCR-CA Community Wealth Building Approach
- Support other businesses in doing so – e.g. through mentoring and best practice sharing
- Display or develop best practice in training, inclusivity, and diversity, including by proactively working to “narrow the gaps”
- Recognise a Trade Union for collective bargaining purposes (whilst understanding that for some businesses formal recognition may not be the only way to demonstrate commitment)
In return, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will celebrate and promote the achievements of those accredited members who have done the most to ensure that our Fair Employment Objectives are met, and spread across LCR
Our Fair Employment charter is a journey – so we’ll invite all accredited members to tell us about their achievements in 12 months time, and ask those who have displayed best and innovative practice to become Ambassadors.
