Good jobs in Greater Manchester: the role of employment charters

A more inclusive labour market would offer more people across Greater Manchester the chance to take part in rewarding, well-paid work, bringing both economic and social benefits. In the context of declining union membership, limited employment regulation and a growing disconnect between pay and living costs, employment charters are one means for cities to engage employers and start a conversation about how their employment practices can enable local people to live and work well. This paper grew out of a wider conversation about ways to facilitate more inclusive growth in cities, and discussions at the Greater Manchester Fair Growth conference in November 2016. It reviews the rationale, design and impact of several local employment charter initiatives in the UK to assess the role that they can play in creating and sustaining quality jobs. The paper draws on interviews withpeople involved in the design and implementation of these schemes as well as desk research. A more detailed case study paper is available alongside this paper.