North of Tyne politicians launched the region’s ‘Good Work Pledge’ at an online event this afternoon (9 November 2020) attended by almost 100 people.
Employers from across Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland and beyond were asked to join the movement for ‘good work’ – work which provides job security, skills, progression opportunities, and a decent standard of living to all their employees. Organisations from every part of the economy – from big businesses to small and medium-sized enterprises to the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector – can sign up to the Good Work Pledge – a set of standards developed with a range of stakeholders over the past year.
The five areas covered by the Pledge include:
- Valuing and Rewarding your Workforce
- Promoting Health and Wellbeing
- Effective Communications and Representation
- Developing a Balanced Workforce – putting diversity and inclusion front and centre.
- Social Responsibility
Cllr Joyce McCarty, North of Tyne Cabinet Member for Employability and Inclusion said:“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented changes to our economy and has changed the way we do business. Good Work is a key part of the North of Tyne’s economic recovery plan and the Good Work Pledge gives us a way to recognise good practice and inspire others to follow suit. We know that employers are facing huge challenges as a result of the pandemic. Today was an opportunity to hear directly from businesses who are adopting the Good Work Pledge; why they signed up now, and why you should too.”
Cllr McCarty, North of Tyne Cabinet Member for Employability and Inclusion
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor, said: “Coronavirus has hit jobs hard. But our economic recovery cannot be about returning us to business as usual – we want a positive future for everyone. Good work is central to this. We want an economy that works for everyone, where people are fairly rewarded for their labour and where no one is left behind. We want every employer in the region to be a good employer. We want every employer to sign our Good Work Pledge.”
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor
Beth Farhat, Regional Secretary of the Northern TUC said: “I am pleased to support the Good Work Pledge. I’m sure we all agree the quality of work has never been more important. The TUC and unions have been central partners in developing the Pledge; leading the way in terms of negotiating improved health and safety, terms and conditions and brokering lifelong learning opportunities in workplaces. We will raise awareness of the Pledge with union reps and officers in order to build on and build into collective bargaining agreements where we have them, and strengthen links with existing awards and accreditations that facilitate good work – like the Better Health at Work Award, coordinated by the Northern TUC in partnership with local authorities.”
Beth Farhat, Regional Secretary of the Northern TUC
The Pledge was launched at an online event on 9 November 2020 at 3pm.
For more information please see the Good Work Pledge page. To sign up please click here.