Hospice UK becomes latest employer to sign up to TUC’s Charter for helping terminally ill workers

date: 23 February 2017

Embargo: For Immediate Release

Hospice UK becomes latest employer to sign up to TUC’s Charter for helping terminally ill workers

Hospice UK have today (Thursday 23 February) added their name to a charter aimed at helping employees who become terminally ill at work.

The charity 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.

Craig Duncan, Chief Operating Officer at Hospice UK, said:

“As the national charity for hospice care, we are acutely aware of the challenges faced by terminally ill people in their daily lives, including in the workplace.

“No-one with a life-limiting condition should have to endure unnecessary emotional stress and uncertainty because of fears they could lose their job.

“We are delighted to sign up to this laudable campaign to help ensure that terminally ill people have greater employment protection and can be confident that employers will be more compassionate towards their needs.”

Lee Barron, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary, said:

“We are delighted that Hospice UK 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 and the support of Hospice UK is greatly appreciated

“Since we launched the Charter in April 2016 we now have over 275,000 workers across the UK 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. 

“We hope and expect more employers, from the public, private and voluntary sectors to follow Hospice UK’s lead and sign the Charter as we take the campaign into more workplaces across the UK.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The TUC Dying to Work Voluntary Charter states the following:

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.

 - More information about the Dying to Work campaign can be found at www.dyingtowork.co.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @The_TUC and follow the TUC press team @tucnews

• Hospice UK is the national charity for hospice care and the only membership body for organisations providing hospice care. We support and champion the work of more than 200 of these organisations across the UK.
• Hospices, and other organisations which provide hospice care, offer vital care for people with terminal or life-limiting conditions and also support their families and carers.

• For further information about hospice care visit our website www.hospiceuk.org or follow us on Twitter @hospiceukPA.
• Get all the latest news from the hospice and palliative care sector, as well as patient stories, on ehospice UK at: www.ehospice.com/uk This service is managed by Hospice UK. You can also follow ehospice news on Twitter at @ehospicenews

Other employers to sign up to the charter include:

·     AB Produce, Acivico, Carillion Rail, Co-op, E-on, Legal & General, Mersey Travel Pellacraft, Santander, The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company

·     Birmingham City Council, , Leicester City Council, Liverpool City Council, London Borough of Harrow Council, Mansfield District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Sheffield City Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Tameside Council

·     Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Southport & Ormskirk NHS Trust, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

·     British Dietetic Association, GMB, National Council for Palliative Care

·     Nottingham City Homes, Central College Nottingham, Sheffield College