Bristol City Council (pictured), legal expenses insurer DAS UK Group and trade union Unite are to sign the Trades Union Congress’ (TUC) ‘Dying to Work’ charter on Tuesday 29 January 2019, to offer greater security to staff who are living and working with terminal illnesses.
The voluntary charter forms part of the TUC’s wider ‘Dying to Work’ campaign. This seeks to have terminal illness recognised as a protected characteristic, so employees can enjoy a protected period at work where they cannot be dismissed as a result of their condition.
The charter additionally aims to give employees with terminal illnesses more choice in how to spend their final months, and offers peace of mind around job security.
Kate Banks, group director of HR and legal services at DAS UK Group, said: “This initiative supports our values, [it is] absolutely the right thing to do and we are very happy to work with Unite and the TUC to give this reassurance to our people. We are looking forward to signing the charter alongside Unite and Bristol City Council.”
The three organisations will sign the charter at DAS UK Group’s head office in Bristol.
Donna Williams, regional coordinating officer at Unite, added: “We welcome the signing of the Dying to Work charter with Bristol City Council, where we have members, as well as by DAS UK Group, which sends out a positive message to other employers in the city.
“We believe this shows a strong commitment by both the private and public sectors to support employees at the most difficult time in their lives; managing a terminal illness, but still with a valid contribution to make in the workplace.
“This is a much better alternative to seeking to dismiss them via the capability route, at a time that they and their families will be struggling greatly on both emotional and financial levels.”
Bristol City Council employs around 6,000 staff, while DAS UK Group has more than 700 employees.
Other organisations that have signed the Dying to Work charter include Lloyds Banking Group, Rolls-Royce, Royal Mail, TSB, the Co-op and Santander.