Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust, a provider of mental health and disability services in the North of England, has today added its name to a charter aimed at helping employees who become terminally ill at work.
The Trust is the latest employer to sign up to the Dying to Work Voluntary Charter, following in the footsteps of employers such as Rolls Royce, Royal Mail and the Co-op.
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, an area 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.
TUC Midlands, Regional Secretary Lee Barron, said: “Your job should be the least of your worries when you get a terminal diagnosis.
“I’m delighted that Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust have shown real leadership in this area, working with unions to guarantee fair treatment for terminally-ill workers.
“We now have a million workers being covered by the Dying to Work charter across the country, and we expect more employers to commit in the coming months.”
Lynne Shaw, Acting Executive Director of Workforce and Organisational Development at CNTW NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We strive to be a caring and compassionate employer, and for many years we have worked to provide terminally ill employees with support and understanding, rather than additional, avoidable stress and worry. We are very pleased to formalise this commitment by signing the Dying to Work charter.
“We want our staff to be secure in the knowledge that if they ever face a terminal diagnosis we will support them every step of the way. 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.
“We hope that other employers will follow our lead in supporting the TUC’s campaign.”
NTW Solutions Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNTW NHS Foundation Trust providing its property and back office services, is also signing the charter today. Malcom Aiston, Managing Director of NTW Solutions, said: “Our commitment to this Charter will ensure that we help any terminally ill staff through this challenging period with dignity and without undue financial loss.
“We support the TUC’s Dying to Work campaign so that all employees battling terminal illness have adequate employment protection.”
