DEPUTY Prime Minister Angela Rayner has added her support to a campaign to ensure best practice to support employees diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Corby & East Northamptonshire MP Lee Barron has championed the campaign since he was elected to Parliament in last year’s General Election.
Many employers take great care already but the Dying to Work campaign raises awareness of the steps they can take to provide employees with dignity and peace of mind as they navigate a terminal diagnosis in work, he said.
The Civil Service has become the latest among more than 400 of employers that have signed the Dying to Work Charter committing best practice in their support for people facing the most difficult time of their lives. A total of more than two million employees are now protected under the Charter.
“No one battling terminal illness should ever have to face extra stress and worry over their job security at what is already the most challenging time for them and their loved ones.” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
“It is vital at such a difficult time that employees with a terminal diagnosis are treated sensitively and with the best support. That is why I am so proud we are backing this charter.”
She was joined by Justin Madders, the Minister for Employment Rights, and Cabinet Office Minister Georgia Gould to sign the charter on behalf of the Civil Service.
Lee, who before being elected a MP, was regional secretary for the TUC in the Midlands, said: “The bare minimum people facing terminal illness would expect is to have a sympathetic employer who treats them with dignity and respect, whilst dealing with the difficulties this brings
“It is encouraging that the Civil Service is setting the standard, protecting vulnerable workers and giving them the freedom to decide whether to stay in work with the support they need.
“We will be continuing the campaign and raising its importance in Parliament. While it remains legal in this country to sack a worker diagnosed with a terminal illness there is more work to do.”
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