CMI statement following new polling on workers' rights
Saturday 07 September 2024The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) welcomes the Trade Union Congress (TUC)/Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) recent survey on employer confidence.
The Labour Government's proposed New Deal for Working People, aimed at strengthening employment rights, aligns closely with the practices many forward-thinking employers are already adopting to make work more flexible and secure.
There’s nothing in Labour’s proposals that should alarm a responsible employer. Skilled managers recognise that enhanced employment rights and better treatment at work are not just fair—they’re instrumental in boosting productivity. Like all legislation, these measures require thorough consultation and careful implementation.
CMI’s research aligns with the TUC/IPPR findings, similarly indicating strong support for Labour’s proposals. In our survey of over 1,000 UK managers, a striking 83% agreed that improving workers' rights can positively impact workplace productivity, with a strong support for flexible working, enhanced family-friendly policies, so-called day one rights and the right to switch off.
Anthony Painter, Director of Policy at the Chartered Management Institute, said:
Improving employment rights is not about lecturing businesses. It should be a collaborative effort between the Government and employers to enhance productivity by raising standards and improving employee well-being. A lot of these measures level up employment rights to the current practice of the best employers.
The key to success lies in skilled management. Employees who feel trusted and respected are not only easier to recruit and retain—they’re more likely to deliver better outcomes for their employers.
No policy can substitute for a healthy workplace culture. True work-life balance stems from skilled managers and leaders who genuinely care about their employees' well-being and understand that good business rests on good work. None of this means that managers shouldn’t manage but they do so by working with their staff and by creating an environment where employees feel supported and valued. And the best employers go beyond statutory obligations.
About the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
The Chartered Management Institute is the professional body for managers and leaders. We have a membership community of over 200,000 aspiring and practising managers and more than 150,000 people are currently studying on one of our management and leadership programmes. Our Royal Charter defines our charitable mission as increasing the number and standard of professionally qualified managers and leaders.