MEMBER NEWS
THE RISE OF FLEXIBLE WORKING IN EMPLOYMENT by Laura Evans Glass Ceilings Change Management
Glass Ceilings Change Management’s purpose is influencing change for worklife inclusion. We recognise that life happens. It is important for people to feel supported and have flexibility to juggle life’s competing demands alongside employment, whatever role or profession, or workplace type they are in, in a way that does not affect their wellbeing or progressing in their careers. There has been a fundamental shift in how and where people work over the past
decade, accelerated since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic five years ago. The number of people unable to work full time continues to rise in a difficult economic and jobs market. As an expert panel discussed movingly in Glass Ceilings’ special webinar in March, the number of people with caring responsibilities in the UK, including child carers, has also risen sharply since the start of the pandemic, largely due to a huge increase in long term sickness and disability. All of which has led to increasing numbers of people struggling with their own health and wellbeing. In turn, it has contributed to large numbers of people leaving the workplace altogether because they are unable to find flexible working patterns, which has wider societal and economic impacts.
Employers who ignore these realities will find it difficult to retain good people, ultimately affecting productivity and profits. We have seen this reflected in increasing requests for policy and employment relations advice over
the last few years, and there are increasing cases in the Employment Tribunals system.
To help businesses address these challenges, we’ve introduced the Glass Ceilings WorkLife Inclusion Policy Framework®, a set of employment policies across the entire employment lifecycle, tailored to the specific needs and size of the organisation, workplace type, profession or industry. As well as supporting compliance where needed, it includes a number of policies for worklife inclusion, including special leave for life circumstances; equal paid maternity and paternity leave; and, inclusive approaches to workplace procedures and change programmes. Feedback from our clients on policy and advisory services around carers in the workplace is always positive, which is something we are really proud of. Please visit www.glassceilings.co.uk for more information or email info@glassceilings.co.uk
NATIONAL MUSEUMS LIVERPOOL ON TOUR The ambition of National Museums Liverpool’s Waterfront Transformation Project, which spans the area between Royal Albert Dock and Mann Island, is to revitalise all of its waterfront facilities, linking storytelling, heritage, community and hospitality.
A cornerstone of this landmark project is the major redevelopment of International Slavery Museum and Maritime Museum, both of which closed to the public in January 2025 to make way for works to begin. This is an exciting time, but with the venues set to be shut for a number of years, the organisation’s Learning and Participation team are keen to find solutions that might continue to offer engagement opportunities for the 10,000 school children that usually visit the museums each year. International Slavery Museum On Tour takes the history, objects and stories of the museum direct into classrooms and community spaces within the Liverpool City Region. Expert facilitators deliver a unique learning experience that illustrates the significant impact and legacies of transatlantic slavery. The scheme was
Liverpool Chamber
recently recognised at the Museums & Heritage Awards, where it was ‘highly commended’. Find out what so impressed the judges in a short film on the session, Crossing the Atlantic: stories and craft: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ism-on-tour The museum also offers a virtual session for learners to explore Liverpool’s role as the largest slaving port in Europe. Titanic may have sank more than 100 years ago but it continues to fascinate people of all ages. Maritime Museum On Tour takes the enduring stories of the world’s most famous ship, which had significant connections to Liverpool, into the region’s
classrooms through storytelling, hands-on activities, discussion, and critical thinking. Engaging facilitators bring this incredible history to life, creating an unforgettable experience for young learners. National Museums Liverpool is committed to ensuring that all schools in the Liverpool City Region can access its venues, collections, and resources, but does also understand that cost can be a barrier to participation. Thanks to the generosity of the 2024 Lord Mayor and the 64 Trust, the On Tour workshops are free of charge to schools in the North Liverpool area on a first come, first served basis.
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