Amber Valley Borough Council commits to TUCs Dying to Work Charter

Amber Valley Borough Council has added its name to a charter aimed at helping terminally ill employees at work.

The council 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 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 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 Amber Valley Borough Council 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.”

Councillor Kevin Buttery, leader of Amber Valley Borough Council commented: “The council aims to be a model employer and values the contribution of its employees in the delivery and maintenance of quality services to the community. It is sensitive and supportive to those suffering the effects of ill health and signing up to the Dying to Work Charter is therefore entirely consistent with our approach.”

Paresh Patel, the East Midlands Regional Secretary for Unite the Union said: “There is widespread support for this important campaign across the region and we are delighted that Amber Valley Borough Council is signing up to the Dying to Work Charter. We would therefore like to thank the council for recognising and supporting such a great campaign that reinforces commitments to ensuring adequate protection to the rights of employees who suffer from a terminal illness in the course of employment.”

Andy Freeman, Regional Organiser of Unison added: “UNISON is delighted that Amber Valley Borough Council has joined over 800,000 employers in signing the charter, ensuring that employees with terminal conditions, and their families, are treated with dignity and respect.”