Students as workers

Balancing work alongside study has now become a key part of university life.

We want every student in Greater Manchester to be able to work in a way that supports their studies, and we’re working with employers and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to make that a reality.

The Challenge

As living costs continue to rise and financial support falls short of meeting day-to-day expenses, paid work has now become a necessity for many.

This can place significant pressure on students. Financial strain and long working hours can affect wellbeing, academic performance and students’ ability to engage fully with university life.

At the same time, many workplace practices do not reflect how student work functions. Without greater flexibility and protections from employers, students risk losing income at exactly the time they need it most.

What We Want

We want employment in Greater Manchester to work for students, not just around them. That means creating opportunities that are secure and flexible enough to reflect the realities of student life.

often, students are viewed as a temporary workforce rather than valued employees. We want to see student workers treated fairly and offered the protections that they deserve.

What We’re Doing

‘Students as Workers’ is one of GMSP’s newest priorities, and we’re currently gathering insights from across the region to inform future action.

We have begun engaging with the Good Employment Charter to explore how its criteria can better recognise the unique nature of student work.