University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Thank you to University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust who signed the charter on 18th January 2019 providing protection for their 14,312 employees.

Executive Director of Workforce and Organisational Development, Dr Neil Pease, said:
“We are extremely proud as a Trust to be able to pledge our support to the Dying to Work charter. We value the health and wellbeing of each and every member of our staff and feel that it is crucial that our colleagues and their families get the support that they need should they be diagnosed with a terminal condition. We have recently reviewed the Dying to Work pledge as a Trust and agreed a number of changes to practice as a result, including extending sick pay for staff with terminal conditions and also providing additional training to managers to help support colleagues. Our staff do an amazing job every day caring for our patients, so it is absolutely essential that we are also able to be there for them when they need us.”

Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service

Thank you to Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service who signed the charter on 17th January 2019 providing protection for their 1,394 employees.

Chief Fire Officer, Neil Odin, said:
“This is about doing the right thing. As an organisation we pride ourselves on looking after our staff – especially in their times of greatest need. “By signing this charter we hope to reassure staff of the commitment and support we will offer should they suffer from a terminal illness. “We are proud to sign up to this important charter.”

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Thank you to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council who signed the charter on 12th December 2018 providing protection for their 3,192 employees.

Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Bob Cook, said:
“Last year the Council’s People Select Committee conducted an extensive scrutiny review of sickness absence. One aspect that was considered as part of that work was the impact on our employees of serious and terminal illness. Whilst carrying out their work the Committee reviewed the TUC’s Dying to Work Charter and were pleased to confirm that the Council’s HR policies and practice are consistent with the pledges in the Charter.”
Chair of People Select Committee, Jean O’Donnell, said:
“Being told you have a terminal illness is understandably traumatic and everyone will respond differently. It may be that in such a situation some will be unable or will not want to work, but some employees will want or indeed need to work. Inevitably financial security will be of particular importance as well as receiving help, care and support from us as an employer. The Dying to Work Charter sets out good employment principles and practices to help support employees at such a difficult time.”

TSB

Thank you to TSB who signed the charter on 11th December 2018 providing protection for their 8,500 employees.

TSB’s HR director, Rachel Lock, said:
“Supporting our partners through all stages in their lives has always been really important to us and this move is further evidence of that.”

Select Lifestyles

Thank you to Select Lifestyles who signed the charter on 10th December 2018 providing protection for their 325 employees.

Director of Select Lifestyles, Les Trumpeter, said:
“There’s no question that here, at Select Lifestyles, we wouldn’t already provide such support to each of our employees should they ever find themselves in such a devastating situation. Joining the Charter has however helped us highlight our devotion company-wide, and all of our employees have a much deeper understanding into the cause. We will always provide all our staff with the support, security and advice, regardless of the circumstances or situations they may find themselves in.”

Wilko

Thank you to Wilko who signed the charter on 5th December 2018 providing protection for their 19,000 employees.

Portsmouth City Council

Thank you to Portsmouth City Council who signed the charter on 4th December 2018 providing protection for their 3,646 employees.

Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Jeanette Smith , said:
“As an organisation I believe we offer our staff good support and, while the council's policies are generally already aligned with the charter, this is a hugely symbolic move. It is a very proud moment for me personally, having worked in trade union UNISON at the council for many years, and I remember all the people we've lost in that time. "Many businesses generally aren't as supportive of their staff as they should be and that can start to show at times of ill health. People should not be penalised by their employers and I would encourage business.”

Nottinghamshire Police Service

Thank you to Nottinghamshire Police Service who signed the charter on 29th November 2018 providing protection for their 3,479 employees.

Chief Constable, Craig Guildford, said:
“It's extremely important that we do all we can to ensure a good working environment for all of our employees and especially when they need support and security during difficult times such as illness. "It was my pleasure to be part of the ceremony last week and to meet with Jacci, a true inspiration, who has worked so hard to ensure the organisation can learn from her own experiences. "Signing up to this charter highlights our commitment to ensuring no individual with a terminal diagnosis will be dismissed because of their condition. We will support them and should they wish to retire in a dignified way we will provide the security they need in working with them. "We are focused on becoming an Employer of Choice and promoting wellbeing, this marks just one more of the steps we are taking in order to achieve this.”

Leicestershire Police Service

Thank you to Leicestershire Police Service who signed the charter on 21st November 2018 providing protection for their 3,481 employees.

Leicestershire Police Chief Constable, Simon Cole, said:
“It is compassionate to support colleagues through a terminal illness and the role the force plays is a responsibility we take incredibly seriously. I fully support the initiative and signing the pledge is our way of publicly committing to supporting employees and officers diagnosed with a terminal illness.”
Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner, Willy Bach, said:
“A terminal diagnosis is a devastating blow. Peace of mind around job and financial security brings huge comfort to employees and their families. I am proud to work alongside a police force that shows such consideration and support for its employees.”

West Midlands Combined Authority

Thank you to West Midlands Combined Authority who signed the charter on 9th November 2018 providing protection for their 474 employees.

Mayor for the West Midlands, Andy Street, said:
“Employees and their families dealing with a diagnosis of terminal illness should not have to worry about losing their jobs as well. “That is why the West Midlands Combined Authority is backing the TUC’s dying to work campaign and join the growing list of employers to sign the charter.
WMCA chief executive, Deborah Cadman, said:
“The West Midlands Combined Authority already offers health and wellbeing support to staff going through troubled times.

“The Dying To Work Charter compliments our policies by setting out clearly how employees with terminal illness will be supported with dignity and respect.”

WMCA portfolio lead for cohesion integration into public sector reform and leader of Sandwell Borough Council, Cllr Steve Eling, said:
“Sandwell Council was the first local authority to sign charter and now the Combined Authority is doing the same. It is a clear demonstration of our commitment to our staff.

“We support the TUC’s Dying to Work campaign and would urge other organisations and employers to sign up.”