Greater Manchester workers and employers asked about workplace culture plans

A public consultation on the proposal is open until 16 September.

The Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter wants to introduce a Good Employment Culture tier to recognise organisations based on their workplace culture alongside existing employment standards.

The Charter said it has more than 160 members and 2,000 supporters, employing around 250,000 people across Greater Manchester.

It was launched in 2019 and works with employers across the city region on employment standards.

The consultation follows initial work with Charter members from different sectors and organisations of varying sizes to consider how workplace culture could be assessed.

Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: "The Good Employment Charter has helped create better workplaces across Greater Manchester and put dignity and fairness back into work. Today, it has more than 160 members and 2,000 supporters, employing around 250,000 people across the city region.

"Whether it’s through the Bee Network or our Good Growth Fund, by requiring partners who receive public money to commit to good employment, we’ve embedded the Charter’s principles into our procurement and investment decisions.

"Now we have an opportunity to build on that progress and ensure the Charter continues to set the standard for good employment. Workplace culture is central to people's experience of work, shaping how valued, supported and included they feel."

Ian MacArthur, director of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, said: "Good employment standards remain the foundation of good work, but we know they're only part of the picture.

"The way people experience work every day is shaped by workplace culture. It affects how valued, supported and included people feel and can have a significant impact on wellbeing, performance and retention.

"As we look at the future of the Charter, we want to hear from employers, employees and stakeholders across Greater Manchester. Their views will help ensure any future approach to recognising workplace culture is practical, meaningful and reflects the realities of modern workplaces."

Feedback will be considered ahead of Good Employment Week, which runs from 5 to 9 October and will focus on workplace culture.

People across Greater Manchester will also be asked "What does your work feel like?" during the week, with responses being used to produce a workplace culture word cloud.

The consultation closes on 16 September 2026 and is available through the GM Consult website.