UNISON East Midlands has welcomed the decision by Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, to sign the TUC’s Dying to Work charter, a pledge that gives greater security to workers facing a terminal illness.
The Dying to Work campaign seeks to ensure that terminally ill employees are treated with compassion, respect, and dignity, and that they are not dismissed because of their condition.
The campaign was launched after the case of Derbyshire sales manager, Jacci Woodcook, who was forced out of her job after being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.
By signing the charter, the Mayor has committed to protecting the rights of terminally ill workers within the East Midlands Combined County Authority, ensuring they have the choice over how they spend their final months – whether that means continuing to work or stepping back to focus on their health and loved ones.
UNISON East Midlands regional organiser Rachel Perry-Doyle said: “Every person battling terminal conditions deserves the choice of how to spend their final months. When staff are faced with such a tough diagnosis, we are committed to ensuring that they are treated with respect in a supportive work environment.
“We also recognise that, if staff want to continue working, safe and reasonable work can maintain dignity and offer a therapeutic distraction.”
The TUC now has close to a million workers covered by the Dying to Work charter across the country and will continue to campaign for more employers to commit to the charter.