Good Employment Chatter

Welcome back to Good Employment Chatter for our series finale! In this episode, join Ian MacArthur, Director of the Charter, in a conversation with Stevie Spring, Chairman of Mind and the Co-op Group.

Embark on a journey through Stevie's career milestones, from her days in breakfast TV to steering a public company. Uncover the challenges faced by a woman leading a FTSE organization, navigating the complexities of the financial crash and the ongoing COVID crisis.

This episode promises to be an informative exploration of leadership, offering valuable lessons for leaders at every stage of their journey.

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Join us for a fascinating episode of Good Employment Chatter as we sit down with Erinma Bell, a Community Peace Activist with an extraordinary journey.

Erinma's leadership journey was sparked by a transformative moment witnessing a tragic shooting in Moss Side. This experience propelled her to challenge injustice, address institutional racism, and dedicate her career to tackling gun crime.

Discover the inspiring story of Erinma's community-led foundation, which played a pivotal role in unveiling the first female statue in Manchester town hall in 150 years, crafted from repurposed guns. Through her organisation, Guns to Goods, Erinma leads a movement that turns weapons into symbols of positive change.

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Join us for a conversation with Carl Austin-Behan, Managing Director at VA Clean and GM LGBTQ+ Community Ambassador at the LGBT Foundation, as we explore his extraordinary journey in leadership, marked in part by his courageous embrace of his identity as a gay man.

From his early days in the Boys' Brigade to a diverse career that led him to the RAF, Carl's story is one of discipline, determination, and staying true to oneself. His experiences, including a heroic act during a plane explosion, reveal the depth of his character and his unwavering commitment to doing what's right.

Carl's entrepreneurial drive led him to create VA Clean, a thriving cleaning company that values fair employment practices, championing the Real Living Wage. His dedication to his staff's well-being and his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights highlight the core values that guide his leadership.

Join us for an inspiring discussion on embracing authenticity and the power of inclusive leadership, as we celebrate the strength and resilience of Carl Austin-Behan's journey as a leader.

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In this engaging episode of Good Employment Chatter, we delve into the inspiring journey of Gillian Drakeford, an accomplished leader known for her innovative work with Ikea.

Gillian reflects on her formative years, where she learned the nuances of leadership through a blend of self-discovery and teamwork. Her pivotal role at Ikea allowed her to embed strong values and a unique culture within the organisation, transcending conventional profit-centric approaches.

Gillian's commitment to making Ikea a Real Living Wage employer in the UK speaks volumes about her unwavering belief in the power of valuing employees. Join us for an insightful conversation that touches on leadership, values, and creating meaningful change in the corporate landscape.

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In this episode, we're joined by Paul Evans, CEO of Carlisle Support Services. With four decades of history, Carlisle has evolved into a key player in public services. Paul shares insights from his experiences, including managing security at Wimbledon and leading a team through intense challenges.

From his early days refereeing football matches to managing a supermarket at 18, Paul's journey is marked by a blend of assertiveness and adaptability. He emphasizes learning from failures and appreciates the value of mentors who believed in his capabilities. Under Paul's leadership, Carlisle champions the Real Living Wage, setting a high standard in the industry.

Join us for this conversation with Paul Evans as we explore leadership, community impact, and enduring values at Carlisle Support Services.

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In this episode, join us as we sit down with Vimla Appadoo, Chief Culture Officer at Honey Badger. From her early experiences advocating for racial understanding and setting up a high school debate club, Vimla's journey to leadership is marked by determination and a strong sense of social justice.

Discover how Vimla's studies in History and Politics ignited her passion for understanding inequalities and drove her to the city of Manchester. She reflects on the challenges she's faced in leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of individual strengths and experiences. Vimla's people-centric leadership style shines through as she champions career progression and individual priorities within her teams.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will leave you with fresh perspectives on leadership and inclusion in the tech-driven world.

Join us in a powerful conversation with Louise Brown, Vice Principal Corporate Services of Wigan and Leigh College, as she shares her incredible journey of transformation and leadership.

From her early experiences of responsibility to navigating imposter syndrome, Louise's story is one of resilience and determination. Discover how emotional intelligence played a pivotal role during the challenges of COVID-19 and learn about the cultural transformation she spearheaded at the college.

Gain insights on the importance of open communication, trust, and the value of knowing your strengths as a leader. Don't miss Louise's inspiring take on whether true leadership can be taught, and find out which historical figures she'd love to meet for a coffee!

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Join us for a conversation with Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, as we delve into the core of his leadership philosophy.

From his early days in sports to navigating the challenges of political life, Andy shares invaluable insights on leading with purpose, empathy, and a vision for good employment practices.

Discover the driving force behind his commitment to inclusivity and the unique value he brings to Greater Manchester's dynamic landscape.

Tune in for a candid discussion on how authentic leadership can shape communities and foster progress.

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Whilst you can measure equality, and count diversity, without inclusion these numbers hold no weight. Creating truly inclusive workplaces requires extra attention, and is focused on the kind of environment that is fostered for employees to work and thrive in.

In this episode, we'll speak about what inclusion means, and about how this can be applied to workplaces, to create truly inclusive working cultures. 

In this episode, we cover several key topics including:

Accommodating employees of different faiths and cultural backgrounds is key to ensuring diversity in the workplace – and ensuring that employees are working in a way which suits them and their lifestyles.

In this episode, we'll speak about how employers can support people of faith, and people of cultural difference, and the factors to consider that may impact working styles, routines, and preferred communication techniques. 

In this episode, we cover several key topics including:

Good employers will understand that it’s important to ensure all employees feel welcome, respected, and represented at work. However, more than a third of LGBTQ+ staff have hidden their sexuality or gender identity at work for fear of discrimination.

In this episode, we'll speak about transgender inclusion in the workplace. We'll also speak through definitions you need to know, and how employers can overcome common barriers to the workplace for the LGBTQ+ community.

In this episode, we cover several key topics including:

(2:00-09:05) Employment Law Update led by Adam Haines, Partner at Aaron & Partners

(09:13-33:41) How do employers create an organisation that is trans inclusive? Discussed by Tara Hewitt (Associate Director of Inclusion and Engagement at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust), Ollie Petrovic (Onboarding Specialist at The Co-Operative Bank) and Steven Woods (Software Developer at AutoTrader UK)

(33:48-49:36) A conversation with Carl Austin-Behan, LGBT Advisor to the Mayor of Greater Manchester. What are common definitions that employers need to know - and what barriers do LGBTQ+ people often face in the workplace?

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Gender inequalities are apparent in workplaces across the world – made clear in aspects such as pay, level of opportunity, and representation across an organisation including at senior level.

In this episode, we’ll speak about gender diversity, and specifically women in male-dominated industries. We’ll then move on to speak about sexual harassment, with a focus on the ‘Is This Okay’ campaign – launched to spark conversations across Greater Manchester about the impact of such abuse.

In this episode, we cover several key topics including:

(2:06-10:54) Employment Law Update led by Adam Haines, Partner at Aaron & Partners.

(10:58-37:22) Gender Equality at work: how can we promote and support women in male dominated industries? Discussed by Daphne Doody-Green (Head of CIPD North), Craig Carney (Head of HR at Seddon Group) and Hannah Schilling (Business Manager at Enercret)

(37:26-47:23) A conversation with Bev Hughes, Deputy Mayor of GM. What are the key insights from the 'Is This Okay' campaign, and what can Greater Manchester employers do to tackle sexual harassment in their workplaces? 

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Creating environments that encourage and retain the employment of both younger and older workers is crucial to developing truly diverse organisations, with the range of skills and experience needed to thrive.

In this episode, we'll speak about how to create age-inclusive working environments, and how the language and imagery of an organisation must be utilised with this in mind. 

We cover several key topics including:

Employers need to both encourage and sustain racial inclusion in their organisation, and take a stand against discrimination and abuse when it occurs. 

In this episode, we'll speak about white allyship, anti-racism, and supporting refugees into employment: 

Disability is a spectrum with a wide range of appearances and capabilities – with some forms of disability being visible and many others harder to spot.

In this episode, we’ll speak about disability and neurodiversity. There are numerous proven business benefits to hiring a diverse workforce, however there are still significant barriers in many UK workplaces for disabled candidates.

In this episode, we cover several key topics including:

Being an organisation that truly supports working parents is crucial – with it being directly linked to rises in gender equality, and a greater ability to attract, retain and motivate employees.

In this episode, we'll speak about how employers can create family-friendly workplaces, where parents can speak up, and have their needs accommodated. We’ll also be speaking about flexible work, and the particular benefits this can provide to working parents.

We cover several key topics including:

Being able to identify disparities, inequalities, and lack of representation is crucial to developing a fairer and more inclusive organisation moving forward.

In this episode, we’ll speak about pay gap reporting – why it’s important, and what steps employers need to take to report on this correctly. We’ll also be looking to the reporting approach in other countries, and how looking internationally can help employers get ahead with their own strategies.

In this episode, we cover several key topics including:

Employers need to create workplaces that ensure fair pay, opportunity, and progression to all. We are driven to develop diverse, equal, and truly inclusive working conditions across Greater Manchester. 

In this episode, we cover several key topics including:

Insecure work - where people don’t have regular hours or predictable shifts - means many find it impossible to manage their budgets or plan for the future. 

Secure working options ensure that people have security over their income, and can manage their work and non-work commitments more easily.

In this episode, we cover several key topics including:

Employers that pay the Real Living Wage ensure that their employees can achieve a decent standard of living, whilst ensuring better retention and workforce engagement. 

The real Living Wage rates are higher because they are independently calculated based on what people need to get by. That's why we encourage all employers that can afford to do so to ensure their employees earn a wage that meets the costs of living, not just the government minimum.

In this episode, we cover several key topics including:

Employers that have fair and flexible working and recruitment practices can take full advantage of the diversity and talents across Greater Manchester - and can ensure their staff have continual development opportunities. 

In this episode, we cover several key topics including:

Flexible working can help to improve the health and well-being of employees and, by extension, reduce absenteeism, increase productivity, and enhance employee engagement and loyalty. 

Flexible working arrangements were accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic - and as we move towards more hybrid working models, how best can we design our working weeks moving forward? 

In this episode, we cover several key topics including:

The mental and physical wellbeing of Greater Manchester’s workforce is fundamental to the development of good employment across the city region.

In this episode, we cover several key topics including: 

Excellent people management is increasingly seen as a vehicle to secure organisational success and is often at the heart of an organisation’s values.

In this episode, we cover several key topics including: 

Employee voice has a central role in improving productivity, tackling insecurity, and promoting the psychological well-being and job satisfaction of employees.

In this episode, we cover several key topics including:

Developing a People-Centric Approach to Business – this episode we speak to John Quinton-Barber, Founder and CEO at Social. We look at his entrepreneurial journey – and what he learnt along the way about developing responsible business models.

Listen for Chatter about John Quinton-Barber’s first experience of employment, the process to becoming a B-Corp certified organisation, and the importance of Good Employment to staff, to consumers, and to the environment and communities more broadly.

Subscribe to stay up to date with all the latest episodes, where we’ll be talking to more key figures across Greater Manchester. Together we can make work better.

Timestamps:

(0:50) What was your first job? What did it teach you about employment?

(14:15) How do you go about employing people, with Good Employment practice in mind?

(17:14) What do your consumers think about your Good Employment practice? What is B-Corp?

(21:20) What are your opinions on the place of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in organisations?

(25:02) Have you got any top tips for employers on how to support their people through these times?

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Preparing Young People for the World of Work – in this episode we speak to Diane Modahl, Founder of the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation and Chair of Greater Manchester’s Young Person Guarantee. We look at her journey – through her initial interests in athletics, through to the Olympic Games, and her later passion to support young people into their career and beyond.

Listen for Chatter about Diane Modahl’s first experience of employment, the key findings from the GM Young Persons Guarantee, and advice for organisations moving forward – to become more inclusive and build back stronger.

Subscribe to stay up to date with all the latest episodes, where we’ll be talking to more key figures across Greater Manchester. Together we can make work better.

Timestamps:

(1:37) What was your first job? What did it teach you about employment?

(8:47) Details about the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation, and key learnings. How do you work with young people to prepare them for the world of work?

(15:03) Can you share the principal findings of the GM Young Persons Guarantee? Particularly those that call for employers to act.

(20:15) Tackling inequalities – the importance of organisations acting rather than only talking about it.

(21:32) What message would you have directly to employers to address these inequalities?

(25:45) If you were to talk directly to GM Employers, is there one thing you would ask them to consider doing to help the city build back better?

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Steps to Build a Resilient Organisation – in this episode we speak to Clive Memmott, Chief Executive at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. We look at management – how leaders can empower and retain their employees, especially within the Covid context.

Listen for Chatter about Clive Memmott’s first experience of employment, his top tips for employers to build more resilient organisations, and key management concepts derived from his book ‘Growing Your Own Heroes’.

Subscribe to stay up to date with all the latest episodes, where we’ll be talking to more key figures across Greater Manchester. Together we can make work better.

Timestamps:

(0:50) What was your first job? What did it teach you about employment?

(08:00) Discussion of the book ‘Growing Your Own Heroes’ – concepts for management.

(10:26) How should leaders empower their employees?

(13:40) What are the principal challenges to employers as we emerge from lockdown?

(19:50) What role do progressive employers have in trying to address these issues?

(23:50) What are your top tips for employers to build more resilient organisations moving forward?

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Post-Lockdown Learnings for Employers – in this episode we speak to Sam Booth, Chief Executive of business community organisation Pro-Manchester. We look at both the employment challenges of Covid-19, but also the key lessons that will ensure organisations don’t return to ‘old’ ways of working.

Listen for Chatter about Sam Booth’s first experience of employment, her top tips for employers moving forward, and her key pitfalls to watch out for when organising a return to the workplace.

Subscribe to stay up to date with all the latest episodes, where we’ll be talking to more key figures across Greater Manchester. Together we can make work better.

Timestamps:

(1:18) What was your first job? What did it teach you about employment?

(6:48) What traits make a good manager? What have the challenges of Covid done for management?

(12:33) What are the main employment challenges in the current scenario?

(15:40) Can you see Manchester’s business returning to how they were before the pandemic?

(18:15) What support do the Charter need to provide for employers, in order for a successful transition back to the workplace?

(20:00) What are your top tips for employers across GM when managing the return to the workplace?

Selected Links from the Episode:

Impact of the Pandemic on the Hospitality Industry – in this episode we speak to Sacha Lord, Nightime Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester. We look at the hospitality sector, how it has been affected by continued lockdowns, and how we can build back better with this industry at the forefront.

Listen for Chatter about Sacha Lord’s first experience of employment, his belief that hospitality is integral to the country building back after Covid-19, and what hospitality industries need to do to keep Good Employment practices at the forefront of future decision making.

Subscribe to stay up to date with all the latest episodes, where we’ll be talking to more key figures across Greater Manchester. Together we can make work better.

Timestamps:

(1:00) What was your first job? What did it teach you about employment?

(4:47) What lessons did you learn from your early experiences, that have taken you on in your career?

(8:15) How will hospitality help the UK build back better?

(13:18) What role will ‘Good Employment’ in the hospitality sector play in building back better?

(16:20) Is Good Employment going to become a factor in where people decide to eat and drink?

(21:48) How do you look after your own mental health at this time?

Selected Links from the Episode:

Building a workplace wellbeing culture– in this episode, we speak to Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology and health at the University of Manchester, and President of CIPD. We look at the impact of positive line management, particularly through the pandemic.

Listen for Chatter about Cary Cooper’s first experience of employment, his words of advice on workplace wellbeing, emotional intelligence and what makes a good manager, and the available support for employers moving forward.

Subscribe to stay up to date with all the latest episodes, where we’ll be talking to more key figures across Greater Manchester. Together we can make work better.

Timestamps: 

(0:46) What was your first job? What did it teach you about employment?

(6:00) What took you to organisational psychology, and a focus on wellbeing?

(12:18) What is the importance of good line management?

(20:08) How can we ensure that line managers have the right level of emotional intelligence?

(22:55) Are there available tools/networks for employers? Particularly towards SME’s?

Selected Links from the Episode:

Addressing inequalities – in this episode, we speak to Kate Pickett, professor at the University of York and Chair of the Greater Manchester Independent Inequalities Commission. We look at the impact of the UK’s inequalities, particularly in the face of Covid-19.

Listen for Chatter about Kate Pickett’s first experience of employment, the work of the Independent Inequalities Commission, the need to consider strong wellbeing plans within your workplace, and the impact of the pandemic on work.

Subscribe to stay up to date with all the latest episodes, where we’ll be talking to more key figures across Greater Manchester. Together we can make work better.

Episode timestamps: 

(1: 51) What was your first job? What did it teach you about employment?

(6:08) What drove your interest in the inequalities agenda?

(10:45) How important is prioritising good wellbeing at work?

(17:02) Is there a need for structural economic change to address work inequality? Impact of the pandemic on work.

(25:40) Do you think market forces have a role in delivering change? How do you know which employers are ‘good’?

(28:57) What would you ask GM employers to consider to address inequalities in the region?

Selected links from the episode: 

Building back better – in this episode, we speak to the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. We look to how Greater Manchester can build upon the good work movement as we come back from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Listen for Chatter about Andy Burnham's first-ever employment experience, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on good work, the importance of the Real Living Wage, and future Northern ‘Good Work’ collaborations.

Subscribe to stay up to date with all the latest episodes, where we’ll be talking to more key figures across Greater Manchester. Together we can make work better.

Episode Timestamps:

• (1:45) What was your first job? What did it teach you about employment?
• (8:50) What lessons have you taken from the last 12 months?
• (13:45) Is any job a good job? Is there a risk of building back worse?
• (17:40) Will there be Good Employment collaboration across Northern England?
• (21:40) How do you look after your own mental health and wellbeing?
• (25:36) What would you ask GM employers to consider to help the region build back better?

Selected Links from the Episode: