The Charter is part of the TUC’s wider Dying to Work campaign which is seeking greater security for terminally ill workers where they cannot be dismissed as a result of their condition.
Dying to Work was taken forward by the TUC following the case of Jacci Woodcook, an area sales manager from Derbyshire who was forced out of her job after being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.
The TUC is asking employers to sign up to its voluntary charter to stop cases like Jacci’s happening in the future and for a change in the law to provide a protected period for terminally ill workers.
TUC Midlands, Regional Secretary Lee Barron, said: “Your job should be the least of your worries when you get a terminal diagnosis.
“I’m delighted that MPFT have shown real leadership in this area, working with unions to guarantee fair treatment for terminally-ill workers.
“Over 1.5million workers being covered by the Dying to Work charter across the country, and we expect more employers to follow suit in the months to come.”
- The TUC Dying to Work Voluntary Charter states:
1. We recognise that terminal illness requires support and understanding and not additional and avoidable stress and worry.
2. Terminally ill workers will be secure in the knowledge that we will support them following their diagnosis and we recognise that safe and reasonable work can help maintain dignity, offer a valuable distraction and can be therapeutic in itself.
3. We will provide our employees with the security of work, peace of mind and the right to choose the best course of action for themselves and their families which helps them through this challenging period with dignity and without undue financial loss.
4. We support the TUC’s Dying to Work campaign so that all employees battling terminal illness have adequate employment protection and have their death in service benefits protected for the loved ones they leave behind.
Neil Carr OBE, Chief Executive said: “We are proud to be a signatory of the TUC Dying to Work Charter. I am really pleased that by working with the TUC we are able to demonstrate our commitment to providing support, security and understanding to terminally ill colleagues.
"We hope that the signing of this charter offers further reassurance to our colleagues and highlights our commitment to their welfare.”