WMCA signs the TUC’s Dying To Work Charter
Published: Monday 12 Nov 2018
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has added its name to a charter aimed at helping employees who become terminally ill.
The Dying to Work Voluntary Charter shows the WMCA's commitment to support staff with life-threatening illness.
It has been signed by major employers including Rolls Royce, Royal Mail and the Co-op, as well as hospitals and local authorities.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street, WMCA chief executive Deborah Cadman and TUC regional secretary Lee Barron
The Charter is part of the TUC's wider Dying to Work campaign which is seeking greater security for terminally ill workers including protection from being dismissed as a result of their condition.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street and WMCA chief executive Deborah Cadman OBE signed the charter along with TUC Midlands regional secretary Lee Barron.
The Mayor said: Employees and their families dealing with a diagnosis of terminal illness should not have to worry about losing their jobs as well.
That is why the WMCA is backing the TUC's Dying to Work campaign and joining the growing list of employers to sign the charter
Lee said: Your job should be the least of your worries when you get a terminal diagnosis.
I'm delighted the WMCA has shown real leadership in this area, working with unions to guarantee fair treatment for terminally-ill workers.
We are close to 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
Dying to Work was taken forward by the TUC following the case of Jacci Woodcook from Derbyshire who was forced out of her sales job three years ago 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.
Cllr Steve Eling, WMCA portfolio lead for cohesion, integration and public sector reform and the leader of Sandwell Borough Council, added: Sandwell Council was the first local authority to sign the charter and now the Combined Authority is doing the same. It is a clear demonstration of our commitment to our staff.
We support the TUC's Dying to Work campaign and strongly urge other organisations and employers to sign up
Deborah said: The WMCA already offers health and wellbeing support to staff going through troubled times.
The Dying To Work Charter compliments our policies by setting out clearly how employees with terminal illness will be supported with dignity and respect