University of Manchester Joins Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter

The University of Manchester has been officially accredited as a full member of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter. This significant achievement makes it the second institution within the Greater Manchester Civic University Board to gain membership, following in the footsteps of Manchester Metropolitan University.

The Charter seeks to significantly enhance employment practices in Greater Manchester by focusing on achieving excellence in the core areas of Secure Work, Flexible Work, Pay, Engagement & Voice, Recruitment, People Management and Health & Wellbeing.

With a workforce of over 12,500 staff across various professional and academic roles, The University of Manchester is one of the largest employers in the city-region. This achievement aligns closely with the priorities of the Greater Manchester Civic University Agreement. As major employers and anchor institutions, our universities play a critical role in levelling up opportunities and improving life chances across the city region.

Manchester Metropolitan University, the first of our universities to achieve this recognition, provided invaluable support and guidance to The University of Manchester throughout the accreditation process. This collaborative effort highlights the shared commitment of our universities to work together for the benefit of Greater Manchester.

Dr Julian Skyrme, Civic University Board Member and Executive Director of Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement at The University of Manchester, commented:

“Being accredited by the Good Employment Charter is important to our mission as a civic university with social responsibility at its core. This voluntary Charter is an independent way to measure our practices around good employment, learn from other employers in Greater Manchester and be part of a wider movement of organisations committed to improving the lives of our employees.

“People are at the heart of the University’s vision, and we are proud of our diverse, inclusive community of individuals who work together to create positive change for the world around them. We also know we have more work to do to ensure we remain an employer of choice in the region and are looking forward to working with the Charter team to develop and enhance the experience for our community of colleagues.”

Membership of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter is voluntary and granted to institutions and businesses that meet rigorous standards across all seven characteristics. The Charter was co-designed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Greater Manchester districts, trade unions, employers, and employees from various sectors, reflecting a collective approach to improving employment practices across the region.

The accreditation of The University of Manchester as a member of the Good Employment Charter is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts under the Greater Manchester Civic University Agreement. It not only reinforces our commitment to improving employment practices but also supports our broader goals of advancing education, skills, and economic development across Greater Manchester.