Sefton Council is the latest employer to sign up to the Dying to Work Voluntary Charter. The Charter is part of the TUC’s wider Dying to Work campaign and aims to give employees with terminal illnesses more choice in how to spend their final months and offers peace of mind around job security.

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 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.

The charter was signed by Cllr. Paulette Lappin Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member – Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, Mark Dale its Chief Personnel Officer, Will Paynter and Lisa Ryan (GMB), Glen Williams (Unison), Mark Magee (Unite) and a representative from the TUC at Bootle Town Hall on behalf of the Council and its 3,300-plus employees. Sefton Council follows in the footsteps of employers such as Royal Mail and Merseytravel, which mean that over a million employees across the UK are now protected.

Cllr. Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member – Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said:

“It’s really important that employees who are diagnosed with a terminal illness know they will be supported by the Council and not face any additional stress or worries. We already work really closely with GMB, Unison, Unite & the TUC, and by signing the Dying to Work Charter we are demonstrating our commitment to our hard-working, dedicated employees.”

Mark Dale, Chief Personnel Officer at Sefton Council said:

“The Council’s most valued asset is its staff and we are committed to supporting our colleagues and their families in whatever way we can.

“When dealing with a terminal illness, worrying about your job should be the least of your concerns and so we are proud to sign the Dying to Work charter, giving those affected the dignity and respect they deserve.

“We hope that other employers will follow our lead in supporting the TUC’s campaign.”

Lisa Ryan, GMB Regional Equality Officer said:

“GMB are delighted Sefton Council have signed the TUC Dying to Work Charter, ensuring employees will be supported on diagnosis of a terminal illness without additional stress relating to their job security.”

TUC Midlands, Regional Secretary Lee Barron, said:

“Your job should be the least of your worries when you get a terminal diagnosis.

“I’m delighted that Sefton Council have shown real leadership in this area, working with unions to guarantee fair treatment for terminally-ill workers.

“We now have over 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.”

Employers looking to find out more information can head to www.dyingtowork.co.uk.