The TUC Dying to Work Charter aims to alleviate some of the stress if an employee is diagnosed with a terminal diagnosis.听 It sets out an agreed way in which an employee should be treated and supported in the event of a terminal diagnosis.听
The charter is about choice and giving an individual options around how they want to proceed at work.听 In some cases, an individual will want to continue to work for as long as they can, for financial security or because work can be a helpful distraction from their illness.听 In other cases, a person may decide that they do not want to work anymore and would rather spend their remaining time with family and friends, getting their affairs in order, or simply doing what they want.听 Whatever choice a person makes they should expect help and support from their employer.
By signing the Charter, the Council agreed to:
- Review sick pay and sickness absence procedures and include a specific statement that we will not dismiss any person with a terminal diagnosis because of their condition.
- Ensure that the Employee Assistance Programme has the capacity and competency to provide support to any person with a terminal illness, including access to counselling and financial advice.
- Provide training to line managers and all OD staff on dealing with terminal illness, including how to discuss future plans with any worker who has a diagnosis of a terminal illness, and on what adaptations to work arrangements that may be necessary.
- Adopt the Dying to Work Charter and notify all employees that we have made the commitments contained in it.
Interim Chief Executive, Blaenau Gwent County Borough, Damien McCann, commented:
鈥淲e support the TUC鈥檚 Dying to Work Campaign and in signing the Dying to Work Charter we show our commitment to support colleagues should they receive a terminal ill health diagnosis. A terminal diagnosis is devastating and is a time of huge emotional stress, fear and uncertainty, The health and wellbeing of our staff is a priority and when employees are faced with a serious or terminal illness, it is important that they can choose the path that is right for them and their families, without having the additional worry of financial uncertainty.鈥�
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