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Unite, the union, will sign the Dying to Work charter – designed so employers can give maximum support to workers with a terminal illness - with Bristol City Council and DAS UK Group on Tuesday (29 January).

Unite will sign the charter, a national campaign driven by the TUC, along with the Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees.

Also signing up at the same time will be Andrew Burke, CEO of DAS UK Group, the UK’s leading legal expenses insurer, which has its head office in Bristol. 

The signing will be held at the DAS UK head office in Bristol city centre on Tuesday 29 January. 

Unite regional coordinating officer Donna Williams said: “What makes this unique is that two separate organisations, public and private - the city council and DAS – are both signing up at the same time to this important charter. 

“We welcome the signing of the Dying to Work charter with Bristol City Council, where we have members, as well as by DAS, which sends out a positive message to other employers in the city.

“We believe this shows a strong commitment by both the private and public sectors to support employees at the most difficult time in their lives – managing a terminal illness, but still with a valid contribution to make in the workplace.

“This is a much better alternative to seeking to dismiss them via the capability route at a time that they and their families will be struggling greatly on both emotional and financial levels.”

Unite regional secretary for the South West Steve Preddy said: “This TUC initiative is one that Unite supports 100 per cent and we hope that more organisations, businesses and local authorities throughout the South West will consider signing up.

“Unite’s door is open to talk to employers and their HR departments across the region wishing to take forward this partnership working.” 

Kate Banks, Group Director of HR & Legal Services for DAS UK Group, added: “This initiative supports our values of being absolutely the right thing to do, and we are very happy to work with Unite and the TUC to give this reassurance to our people. We are looking forward to signing the charter alongside Unite and Bristol City Council.” 

Bristol City Council employs a workforce of more than 6,000. DAS employs a workforce of more than 700.

More details can be found at: www.dyingtowork.co.uk

Notes to editors:

For more information please contact Unite senior communications officer Shaun Noble on 020 3371 2060 or 07768 693940. Unite press office is on:  020 3371 2065

Email: shaun.noble@unitetheunion.org