Better work and working lives for Northern Ireland

Building the case for better work in Northern Ireland 

Our manifesto resulted from a programme of engagement with our members – people professionals who had been supporting organisations and their people to navigate unprecedented changes to working patterns, regulations and support schemes. Informed by survey research, policy roundtables and individual consultations, we gathered the evidence to make the business case for better work across Northern Ireland – work that benefits people, businesses, the economy and society.  

We sought to influence the Northern Ireland Executive’s agenda in three areas of public policy: job quality in a changing world, flexible and responsive skills development, and establishing a modern and inclusive labour market. 

Our key recommendations included:  

• embedding job quality across all Northern Irish Executive policy 
• changing the right to request flexible working to a day one right 
• rebalancing public funding towards demand-led vocational routes like apprenticeships 
• boosting lifelong learning, for example, by introducing enhanced Individual Learning Accounts 
• introducing a new Northern Ireland Employment Bill. 

COVID-19 heightened awareness of the need to improve the way people are managed and developed. Our manifesto highlighted areas where policy-makers in Northern Ireland can make the biggest difference. And we’ve continued to share guidance and resources to support leaders and managers who are championing good work.