People up and down the UK are talking about the upcoming General Election on 8 June. Whatever their political persuasion, now is the time for them to get their voice heard on the issues that are important to them. To capitalise on this, the CIPD is asking its members and the wider HR profession to make clear the changes they want to see in the world of work to their local candidates.

In the coming weeks, election candidates in local areas will be out with their teams trying to meet with as many voters as they can. This presents a fantastic opportunity to share the CIPD’s Manifesto for Work with local election candidates, and to ask for their support on key workplace issues such as flexible working, access to jobs for disadvantaged groups, and youth unemployment.

The CIPD has produced a number of resources to help its members and the public to challenge MPs to support ‘good work’ for all. Earlier today saw the launch of a toolkit which contains suggestions for:

• writing to local candidates – including template letters
• sharing information on social media – including template posts
• what to ask MPs – including sample questions.

Engaging with election candidates will help raise the profile of workplace reform issues, and the templates offer candidates a range of ways to respond and pledge their commitment.

Taking action around the Election is part of the CIPD’s wider social action movement work, which encourages HR and people professionals to take small, practical actions for positive change both within the workplace and for society.

At an event held in April 2017 on the Role of Social Action, around 100 participants fed in their thoughts and views on how the movement could be developed, suggesting that campaigning should form a key facet of social action activity. Also central to the movement is the role of volunteering and how this contributes to the skills development of the volunteer, while making a positive impact on those being supported. Being a champion and advocate of workplaces issues is also key and the CIPD will be developing more activities and insight for the movement. Social action will be more prevalent in the student journey as well as in the new Professional Standards Framework.

Katerina Rudiger, CIPD Chief Community Officer, commented:

’We’re encouraging and equipping the HR community to take social action both as good citizens and on behalf of the organisations they work for. Campaigning for better work and working lives during the run up to the Election is a great way for people to share their voice on issues that are important to them and the toolkit we’ve created makes it as easy as possible to do this.’