The next stage of engagement on what should be included in Liverpool City Region’s first Fair Employment Charter has been launched by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.

The Fair Employment Charter will recognise and celebrate businesses that pay the real living wage, minimise the use of zero hours contracts and encourage more businesses to do the same. It will also support employers in delivering improved working conditions as they grow and create jobs. The aim is to improve economic productivity and prosperity across the city region.

More than a quarter of the Liverpool City Region’s workforce, made up of those who live in Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral, earn less than the Real Living Wage with an estimated 19,000 workers on zero hours contracts.

Over recent months, businesses, staff, trade unions, and the public were asked about their experiences of work, what made a good workplace and what they thought good and fair work should look like.

The exercise showed that people thought a Fair Employment Charter should include:

• 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 and others

From these results, The Combined Authority is now engaging with people to find out what they think makes a fair workplace and how we can support those who want to become one, whilst recognising and rewarding organisations who often go beyond these requirements.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region said:

“My Fair Employment Charter is central to the work I’m doing to make our region the fairest, most inclusive region possible.

For our region to thrive, it’s vital that we have successful local businesses. But I don’t want to simply be a pro-business mayor – I want to be a pro-good business mayor – and a workers’ mayor.

That is why we’re developing the Fair Employment Charter, to encourage our businesses to pay staff the Real Living Wage, to say no to zero hours contracts and offer decent terms and conditions. ”

The launch of today’s consultation will help shape the development of the charter and run until April 9^th 2020. Engagement events will be held with stakeholders around the city region, ahead of the full charter being published in Autumn.

Click here to have your say.