Gedling Borough Council yesterday (March 1) signed a charter aimed at helping terminally ill workers.
The Council is the latest employer to sign up to the Dying to Work Voluntary Charter, following in the footsteps of employers such as E-On, Legal and General and Santander.
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, a 58-year-old 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.
Gedling Borough Council leader, Cllr John Clark said he was glad the council have now signed up to the charter
He said: “When a family are dealing with a terminal illness, the last thing they need is to worry about their job. This charter supports our ethos as employers that our staff are the backbone of the council and it will give them some comfort that we will do what we can to help them if anything happens.”
Sean Redgate, GMB organiser, said: “The Dying to Work Campaign is about giving the working people of Gedling Borough Council, battling a terminal illness, choice and security and welcome the authorities decision to adopt the charter. Both GMB and the TUC welcome this signing and hope this will inspire other employers in Nottinghamshire to work with the Trade Unions and implement this in other workplaces in Nottinghamshire.”
Gill Morley, who is chair of UNISON, said she was delighted Gedling Borough Council has signed up to the scheme.
She said: “We fully support the council’s commitment to helping colleagues who are diagnosed with a terminal illness, in order to ensure they will not have to go through the extra stress and worry about their jobs at a very difficult and trying time.”
Lee Barron, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary, said: “We welcome the fact that Gedling Borough Council have committed to the Dying to Work Charter. Worrying about your job should be the least of your concerns when you receive a terminal diagnosis.
“Over 275,000 workers across the UK are now covered by the Charter. There is real momentum behind the campaign as we work to secure the dignity and protection that all terminally ill workers deserve.
He added: “We hope and expect more employers to follow the Council’s lead and sign the Charter as we take the campaign into more workplaces across Nottinghamshire, the East Midlands and, indeed, across the UK.”
This is good to hear.
This is good. My aunt was very sick and treated badly by her company. Why be treated badly if you have worry of dying to