Hallam academics work with Islington Council to improve employment rights

Research led by Dr Bob Jeffery at Sheffield Hallam University has underpinned improvements in employment rights through collaboration with Islington Council

Press contact: Emma Griffiths | e.griffiths@shu.ac.uk

A launch event for Employment Rights in Islington showcased the progress that Islington Borough Council, Islington Trade Union Council and other stakeholders have made in tackling employment violations and promoting awareness of employment rights.  

The actions taken were directly informed by research led by Dr Jeffery and research collaborators Professor David Etherington from the University of Staffordshire, and Dr Olivia Stevenson from University College London, who participated in the launch event. 
 
The progress that the Council and other stakeholders have made include embedding teaching on employment rights into Council delivered Adult and Community Learning, the Council working with Community and Volunteer Sector Partners to design collaborative advice provision, and Islington Trades Union Council supporting cultural events to increase awareness of the value of trade unions. 
 
Dr Jeffery said: “It’s fantastic to see our research being used to inform the development of local policy in Islington. We are really pleased to see that our findings have continued to resonate over 18 months after the publication of our report, following changes in the composition of the council and a new Lead Member for Inclusive Economy.  
 
“There is a wealth of academic evidence on an increasing crisis of job quality in particular industries, with lower levels of enforcement than many of the UK’s OECD comparators, and poor knowledge of employment rights amongst sections of the population. In addressing these issues head-on, Islington Council and their community partners have the ability to influence the local situation improve employment outcomes for their residents.” 

Councillor James Potts, Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Planning, said: “We’re determined to make Islington a more equal place and ensuring workers understand their rights and can access support when they need it is a key part of that. 

“Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect at work. This research has helped us better understand the challenges facing some workers in Islington and identify practical actions we can take with our partners. These steps will help us to improve awareness of employment rights, access to advice and support for those experiencing unfair treatment. This summer, we will be upskilling frontline advice workers on employment rights and the role of trade unions, developing materials for community organisations that explain people’s rights, and running information sessions for community and voluntary groups. 

“We're proud to be working with university partners, Islington Trade Union Council and local services to turn research into action and help more people access good-quality, secure work.” 

This research was funded by the Research England grant Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) and mapped the prevalence of ‘work-based harms’ in the borough (from unpaid wages to health and safety issues), the landscape of union activity, and the levers available to the local authority to try and improve employment conditions (including fostering greater links with trade unions).