Time: 3.30-5.00 pm
Speakers: Jason Heyes (University of Sheffield), Ceri Hughes (University of Manchester) and Liz Blackshaw (Trades Union Congress North East and Yorkshire Region)
Venue: Sheffield Hallam University / Zoom

This event is being run in conjunction with the Yorkshire & Humber Policy Engagement & Research Network (Y-PERN).

Speakers

• Jason Heyes (University of Sheffield)
• Ceri Hughes (University of Manchester)
• Liz Blackshaw (Trades Union Congress North East and Yorkshire Region)

Abstract and Biographies

Jason Heyes, Professor of Employment Relations, Sheffield University Management School

Title: Addressing Decent Work Deficits

Abstract: This presentation will explore different types of decent work 'deficit' and the difficulties that many workers face in making transitions to better jobs. The presentation will draw on research examining different dimensions of job quality and will include a discussion of gender and age differences..

Biography: Jason Heyes is a Professor of Employment Relations in the School of Management at the University of Sheffield. He is also the Management School's Associate Dean for Impact and Engagement and director of the Centre for Decent Work (CDW), one of the school's research centres. His research has examined a variety of issues that are relevant for 'good work', including underemployment, minimum wage regulations, employment protection, flexicurity and employer support for employees with unpaid care responsibilities. He is currently leading an ESRC-funded project that is examining Transitions of Young Workers in the UK Labour Market: Consequences for Careers, Earnings, Health and Wellbeing. This project is part of the ESRC’s Transforming Working Lives research programme. He is also academic lead for the Yorkshire, Humber and North East Regional Productivity Forum, which is part of the ESRC-funded Productivity Institute, and regularly acts as a consultant for the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Ceri Hughes, Researcher, Work and Equalities Institute, University of Manchester

Title: A role for local employment charters in creating a more inclusive economy?

Abstract: In recent years, voluntary local employment charters have been proposed and implemented in several city regions, including many of the new mayoral combined authority areas (Dickinson, 2022; McKay and Moore, 2023). Employment charters are voluntary initiatives that set out to describe principles and practices associated with good employment, and to recognise employers that are implementing these. Ceri will share some findings from recent research that has been exploring whether and how these initiatives can support meaningful change in employment practices.

Biography: Ceri is a researcher based in the Work and Equalities Institute at the University of Manchester. Her research explores how labour market inequalities are shaped by state and employer policies and practices with a particular focus on active labour market policy. Her current research examines the potential for voluntary local employment charters to raise employment standards. Separately, she is also exploring the work expectations that are embedded in UK activation policy as a part of an ongoing mixed methods PhD project. She has previously worked at the Inclusive Growth Analysis Unit (Joseph Rowntree Foundation / University of Manchester), New Policy Institute and the Work Foundation.

Liz Blackshaw, TUC Regional Secretary, Trades Union Congress

Title: The TUC's Great Jobs Agenda in South Yorkshire

Abstract: The TUCs work on improving jobs is culminating in this year's demands of an incoming government nationally and progress is being made. Critically, here in South Yorkshire, the challenges for workers to enjoy good, healthy and fulfilling work continue to increase. This presentation explores these challenges and outlines some of the levers we can pull together locally to create more opportunity for good work and a healthy prosperous region.

Biography: Liz Blackshaw is Regional Secretary for the Trades Union Congress representing 48 trade unions and a million union members across the Northeast, Yorkshire and the Humber. Liz has spent most of her working life supporting and leading union campaigns in both the public and the private sector; nationally running the TUCs Organising Academy and working with trade union organising across the UK.

Prior to taking up this post, Liz worked with global trade union federations leading campaigns promoting trade union rights in sectors as diverse as warehousing, fishing and aviation. Liz also led the International Transport Worker’s Federation’s global supply chain work, emphasising the need for access to unions and improvements of rights for workers throughout contracting chains as well as mechanisms for monitoring and enforcement in union agreements.

Liz was appointed Regional Secretary with the UK TUC in 2021 and in addition to her primary work with affiliated trade unions, Liz represents working people of the region and on a range of bodies including South Yorkshire’s Business Advisory Board; the North-East England Net Zero Board and the Marras, the friends of the Durham Miners' Gala.