Greater Manchester Mayor joins line-up for Good Employment Summit to tackle better work and working lives

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester is uniting with other Northern Metro Mayors and senior political leaders for a Good Employment Summit that aims to encourage employers to improve their working practices, and people managers to upskill to better support workers.

The virtual summit – hosted by the CIPD and Acas – will explore the challenges that employers and people managers in Greater Manchester are facing. Among the challenges expected to be raised is the cost-of-living-crisis and its impact on staff, including job quality and fair pay.

Other topics for discussion will include the challenges of recruiting and retaining staff in a tough labour market, along with the key responsibilities of people managers and the skills and behaviours needed to better support employees and ensure they are happy and productive.

Andy Burnham – who was re-elected as Mayor of Greater Manchester for a second term in May 2021 – will be joined by the Metro Mayor of Liverpool (Steve Rotheram) and the Mayor of West Yorkshire (Tracy Brabin), along with the Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council  (Karen Kilgour). Each of them will discuss what they are doing in their respective city regions to help encourage better working standards, and management practices, in Northern England.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said: “I am committed to making sure new and existing jobs across Greater Manchester are underpinned by a commitment to equality, fair pay, as well as giving employees a say in how their workplaces are run.

“This is why I am delighted to be taking part in the Good Employment Summit in April. At the summit we will explore more ways we can support local employers with the challenges they face and help secure our city-region as an area of employment excellence.”

Other speakers include Peter Cheese, CEO of CIPD and Susan Clews, CEO of Acas – two leaders of organisations with a shared purpose of driving good and fair work opportunities. Together they will address the crucial role of the people profession in implementing good employment practices and supporting line managers – and their growing responsibilities – effectively.

Daphne Doody-Green, Head of CIPD in Northern England said: “Many managers are facing increasing responsibilities and challenges as organisations adopt new ways of working, with more people working from home, or using a hybrid approach, than ever before.

“Yet our research shows that too few employers train their line managers to support and manage their staff effectively, and this is having a detrimental effect on the mental health of workers. This summit will explore how managers can improve their people management skills to better support employees effectively.”

Local employers and people managers are invited to join the Good Employment Summit, which takes place on Tuesday 4 April 12.00-13.30. Register to join for free here or e:[email protected]