Prepared produce firm AB Produce has signed a new charter to pledge support for terminally ill employees.
The new charter, known as the Dying to Work Voluntary Charter, aims to change employment rights for workers who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness in the absence of formal legislation.
Representatives from the company and trade unions signed the document in the shadow of London’s Big Ben, including general manager Steve Rochelle, Trade Union Congress (TUC) regional secretary, Lee Barron, trade union GMB’s senior organiser, Martin Allen and local MP and company founder, Andrew Bridgen.
The document sets out how employers can support terminally ill workers following their diagnosis, and is part of a TUC campaign that is seeking to change the law to secure a ‘protected period’ where employees cannot be dismissed as a result of their condition.
It was set up following the case of Jacci Woodcook, a 58-year-old sales manager from Derbyshire, who was forced to leaver her job after being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.
Rochelle said: “As soon as I heard of Jacci’s case story I was horrified there were still employers who would act in this manner and that employees had such little protection”.
“For us it’s about doing the right thing, ensuring our friends and colleagues are treated accordingly We’re pleased to be supporting our union the GMB and the TUC; I encourage other businesses to support this voluntary charter.”
Barron said: “AB Produce have shown real leadership in this area, working with unions to guarantee fair treatment for all workers who find themselves in this position.
“This is not an issue of right or left, it is instead a matter of right or wrong and hopefully more employers will now follow their example by signing the Dying to Work Charter and supporting our campaign for greater employment protection for terminally ill workers.”
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