Can workplace charters reduce health inequalities for employees: a qualitive analysis of employer interviews in West Yorkshire, England
Increasing the number of good quality jobs is a priority to reduce widening health inequalities. In England, workplace charters are becoming increasingly popular; however, there is limited knowledge on how this intervention works. This study explored employers’ perspectives of workplace charters to understand the potential for charters to reduce health inequalities for employees.
Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 employers in West Yorkshire, England between August and September 2022. Employers were purposively recruited. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Employers perceived charters to improve workplace practices by providing a benchmark; facilitating a business community; opening a dialogue with partners; and being a credible badge for fair employers. Using a social determinants of health framework, a novel logic model was developed from these mechanisms, illustrating how charters can reduce health inequalities. Key emergent barriers to charter effectiveness were also identified.
This study has identified that employers’ perceptions of workplace charters support the view that charters can reduce health inequalities. However, emergent barriers to charter effectiveness highlighted that charters could equally generate inequalities by excluding organisations. If policy makers reconcile this tension, workplace charters could potentially be a timely and meaningful intervention to reduce health inequalities.
