Glasgow-based building contractor City Building has signed up to the Dying to Work charter to help support employees who become terminally ill.
The voluntary charter is part of the Trade Union Congress’ wider Dying to Work campaign, which seeks greater security for terminally ill workers to prevent them losing their jobs due to their illness. It was established following the case of an area sales manager from Derbyshire who lost her job after being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.
By signing the charter, the construction firm has committed to recognise that terminal illnesses requires support and understanding, not additional and avoidable stress and worry, to support terminally ill workers following their diagnosis, and to recognise that safe and reasonable work can help maintain dignity, as well as offer a valuable distraction.
It has also committed to provide adequate employment protection, including protected death-in-service benefits. In addition, it will commit to providing the security of work, peace of mind and the right to choose the best course of action for terminally ill staff and their families to help them through a challenging period with dignity and without financial loss.
Employers such as Rolls Royce, Royal Mail and E-On have already signed the charter.
Alan Burns, executive director at City Building, said: “As a Fair Work employer, we have a very positive relationship with our staff and trade union partners and are continually looking for ways to better support our staff. We have had an arrangement in place to support employees with a terminal illness for a number of years now and officially signing this charter ensures staff will continue to be protected and supported during any terminal illness and we are proud to be a leading organisation in this campaign.”