Cheshire and Warrington Fair Employment Charter
The Fair Employment Charter development was initiated by the Cheshire and Warrington Leaders' Board, with the intention of celebrating good practice and to support businesses and organisations to raise standards in fair employment practices.
An initial draft of the Charter set out five initial key aspects of what an employer needs to offer to demonstrate fair employment. It is recognised that each organisation will be on their own Fair Employment journey and so will specialise in some areas rather than others.
Charter membership will be for a variety of organisations, including all sizes of businesses and all sectors across the public, private and third sector, and will be free for all.
Between Spring and Summer of 2023, partners in Cheshire and Warrington held a consultation on whether the sub-region should have a Fair Employment Charter via a series of engagement events with businesses and organisations from all sizes in the public, private, community and voluntary sector, and an online survey. Thank you to those who engaged and gave their views to help shape the Charter and its implementation.
Employment Rights Bill and Fair Employment Charter Development
Following its appointment in July 2024, the Government announced its commitment to bringing forward the Employment Rights Bill. The Government has begun its consultation on the majority of these reforms and they expect most reforms within the Bill will take effect no earlier than 2026.
More information on open Government consultations can be found here, under “Policy and consultations”.
More information on the Employment Rights Bill can also be found here.
As detail becomes available on what will become enshrined in law, our draft Charter wording will be updated to reflect this, as some previous Charter standards that went “above and beyond” will become standard employment practices embedded in law.
Case Studies of Fair Employment Practices in Cheshire and Warrington
Alongside our work in developing the Fair Employment Charter, we are also in the process of working with local businesses across Cheshire and Warrington to inform the development of case studies which will be shared here. While every business is different, we hope these provide some guidance on some of the actions which other organisations could take. Do get in touch via the contact details below if you would like to be considered for a case study.
More information on the Cheshire and Warrington Fair Employment Charter
If you would like to be involved or would like further information, please email fecharter@cheshireandwarrington.com
Previous Consultation 2023
The consultation launch on the 20 March saw many attendees from across the public, private and voluntary sector. Speakers included Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Louise Gittins, and the Leader of Cheshire East Council, Cllr Sam Corcoran with a range of speakers that shared their knowledge and good practice in fair employment and examples of personal lived experience:
Resources:
Acas gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice. They also offer training and help to resolve disputes.
CIPD is the professional body for HR and people development. It provides various online resources on issues referenced in the Fair Employment Charter.
The Fair Employment Charter asks companies to commit to paying the Real Living Wage within a certain timeframe, if they do not already do so. More information on the Real Living Wage can be found on The Real Living Wage Foundation’s website.
There are many resources available to help improve Accessibility into Work. These include:
Cheshire & Warrington Opportunities Portal
Cheshire and Warrington Pledge connects employers and young people across the sub-region.
Careers and Enterprise Company is the national body for careers education in England and provides resources for employers on its website.
DWP offer several schemes and support services to help employers provide additional opportunities to access jobs. These include:
- Access to work scheme
- Supported internships for young people with SEND
- Disability Confident employer scheme
- Disability Employment advisors
- Help and support for older workers
- Health Adjustment Passport
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has lots of guidance on their website around different work based health and safety advice.
The Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) has advice for employers on living and working well.
Mental Health Charity MIND has guidance for employers on mental health in the workplace
The Social Mobility Commission has guidance on its website around EDI practices in work Social Mobility.
Cheshire and Warrington Fair Employment Charter Consultation
The following document sets out the plans for the Charter that will be tested in the survey and at the consultation events.
Download the document
Cheshire and Warrington Fair Employment Charter Consultation Launch Event
We held our first consultation event on 20th March. You can watch the recording of the whole event here.
Click here to watchCouncil leaders to consult on the possibility of introducing a fair employment charter
The charter will promote fairer pay and a more diverse, engaged, and healthy workforce, as well as assisting with recruitment of good staff and other economic benefits such as increased productivity and profitability for business.
Read more