Employers across region commit to Greater Manchester’s Operators Standard

Nutters has committed to Greater Manchester’s Operators Standard

More than 30 operators and employers of the night-time economy - including The Bird at Birtle and Nutters - have today (Thursday, November 1) agreed to develop a set of principles that will support and improve practices for night-time workers and operators in Greater Manchester.

The move today is a step forward for workers, and is the first Operators Standard of its kind in the UK. The five principles take account of tipping, training and mental health, consulting staff on practices and ensuring the workplace is a trusted environment.

The voluntary initiative follows two successful listening exercises hosted by the city-region’s Night-Time Economy Adviser Sacha Lord, where concerns on tipping, mental health and transport were raised and discussed.

Over the next couple of months, employers who met will develop the vision for the Operators Standard.

Greater Manchester’s Night-Time Economy Adviser, Sacha Lord said: “The workers in our restaurants, bars, hotels, and clubs are the welcoming face of Greater Manchester’s night-time economy. We know what a wonderful job they do, and we want customers to be confident that when they reward great service, that reward goes to the right place.

“We also understand that Greater Manchester’s cultural and leisure offer (as well as the retail sector and infrastructure supporting this) account for around 44% of employment in the night-time economy, so it’s important that people see a career in this industry as rewarding, safe, supported and viable.

“The fact that so many operators are dedicated to developing the principles, demonstrates our city-region’s commitment to ensuring that our welcome continues to be world-class, warm and distinctly Greater Mancunian.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “It’s great to see so many operators in our flourishing night-time economy stepping forward to develop this standard.

“It’s important that we listen to, and support both employees and employers of the night-time economy. The principles will set a standard in Greater Manchester that will not only give the public, and the customer confidence in the sector, but will improve the environment for night-time workers and provide transparency in tipping.”

The five principles of Greater Manchester’s Operators Standard which will be developed over the coming months will include:

• Transparent tipping
• Trusted workplace culture
• Staff wellbeing and equality
• Communication and consultation with staff
• Mental health and training