This event explored the future of work and employment in the South West.
Following on from the Taylor Review of Modern Employment it asked a number of important questions:
- What do we mean by ‘good work’?
- How important is ‘good work’?
- What we can we do to ensure ‘good work’ in the face of the challenges of automation, pressure on resources and increased global competition.
The session revolved around keynote presentations from researchers, policymakers and key stakeholders at the heart of these debates and featured insights from the research of members of the People, Organisations and Work (POW) Research Group which is part of iSPER.
One of the key aims of POW is to conduct research which has the potential to transform working lives. Current research explores the way that conflict is managed at work, discrimination and equality in recruitment, the nature of precarious work and neuro-diversity in the workplace. These, in turn, provided the context for roundtable discussion with delegates given the opportunity to inform the development of a ‘Manifesto for Good Work’ in the South West of England.
Confirmed speakers and panellists were:
- Patrick Brione - Head of Policy and Research, Involvement and Participation Association (IPA)
- Mike Gardner - Senior Advisor and Collective Conciliator for Somerset and Devon, Acas
- Jonny Gifford - Research Advisor on Organisational Behaviour, CIPD
- Joanne Kaye - Regional Secretary, UNISON South West
- Heather Ancient - Partner, PwC.