Unilever 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 Woodcock, 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.
Usdaw National Officer Daniel Adams said: “Workers should always be treated with dignity and respect by their employer. Signing the charter reassures our membership that, should the worst happen, they will be treated properly by their employer.”
Unite National Officer Rhys McCarthy said: “We are delighted that Unilever has taken a lead on this issue, working with all the unions in the business to guarantee fair treatment for terminally-ill workers.”
GMB National Officer Eamon O’Hearn said: “We welcome this positive step forward which reinforces Unilever’s commitment to the protection of employees battling terminal illness across the business.”
Placid Jover, VP HR Unilever UK & Ireland said: "We are really pleased to have worked with our union colleagues to sign the Dying to Work Charter, which confirms Unilever's on-going commitment to treating employees fairly and with respect at such a difficult time for them."
Notes for editors:
TUC Dying to Work campaign: www.dyingtowork.co.uk
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter
@UsdawUnion