WIREDGOV

The Leader of Newport City Council, Councillor Debbie Wilcox, yesterday signed an official paper committing the council to the TUC’s Dying to Work charter.

This highlights the council’s commitment to supporting employees with a terminal illness to enable staff to stay in their job for as long as they want to.

Now the council has signed the charter the council’s details will be added to the campaign website alongside those of other Welsh local authorities who have also signed the charter including Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot.

Councillor Wilcox made the pledge on behalf of the council at the cabinet meeting in April.

The TUC is calling for employers across the UK to sign their charter and agree not to dismiss any employee diagnosed with a terminal condition.

Councillor Wilcox yesterday said:

“By signing the Dying to Work charter we are demonstrating our council’s commitment to supporting employees and their families during very difficult times of need and respecting an employee’s wishes not to be dismissed when diagnosed with a terminal condition.

“At present we do offer employees the chance to have counselling and we are in the process of building a wellbeing hub for staff to access further wellbeing options. However by signing the Charter we are adding to the council’s stance that we are supporting employees with a diagnosis of terminal illness.”

Gareth Hathway, Wales TUC lead for Dying to Work yesterday said:

“Your job should be the least of your worries when you get a terminal diagnosis. We are delighted that Newport City Council have committed to signing the TUC’s Dying to Work Charter.

“The peace of mind of knowing you can still afford to pay your bills whilst also being sensitive to the working needs of people with terminal illnesses gives people dignity and respect when they need it most.

“In pledging support for the Dying to Work Charter Newport City Council has shown their recognition of the key role they play in protecting the wellbeing of their workforce”

Rebecca Dawkins, a senior representative from the GMB, also praised the actions of the council in signing up to the charter.

She yesterday said:

“We celebrate Newport City Council’s commitment to their staff, acknowledging that people suffering from terminal illness, can, through the implementation of solid processes, continue to provide a valuable service for their employer and this charter makes this happen.

“We hope all local authorities will follow the leadership taken by Newport City Council and sign up to the charter too.”

Editors note

The Wales TUC is the voice of Wales at work. With 49 member unions, the Wales TUC represents just over 400,000 workers. We campaign for a fair deal at work and for social justice at home and abroad.

https://www.tuc.org.uk/wales

For more info on the dying to work campaign please visit https://www.dyingtowork.co.uk/