Greater Manchester Mental Health commit to TUC’s Dying to Work Charter
- Charter protects rights at work for those facing a terminal illness
- Campaign began in 2016 following Derbyshire sales manager losing her job after cancer diagnosis
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) have today (14 February 2018) 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 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.
TUC North West, Regional Secretary Lynn Collins, said:
“Your job should be the least of your worries when you get a terminal diagnosis.
“I’m delighted that GMMH have shown real leadership in this area, working with unions to guarantee fair treatment for terminally-ill workers.
“600,000 workers are now covered by the Dying to Work charter across the country, and we expect more employers to commit in the coming months.”
Bev Humphrey, Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation said, “We are proud to sign up to the Dying to Work campaign. As a mental health trust it is vital that we provide our staff with as much support as possible during such difficult circumstances. If we can make life a little easier and take away any stress or worry about day-to-day life, we are happy to do it.”