RS Components is the latest employer to sign up to the Dying to Work voluntary charter, following in the footsteps of employers such as Pladis, Rolls Royce, Royal Mail, Unilever 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.

Darren Matthews - Usdaw Area Organiser says: “UK workers in all sectors should always be treated with dignity and respect by their employers. Even more so when the worst happens, like being diagnosed with a terminal illness. Their job should be the least of their worries.

“That’s why both Usdaw and the TUC are delighted that after very detailed, careful and thoughtful discussions,  RS Components have agreed to sign up to the TUC’s Dying to Work Charter.  RS Components are now amongst many other leading businesses which recognise and support this Campaign to guarantee fair treatment for terminally ill workers.”

Ian Haslegrave, President of Group Professional Services and People at RS Components says: “RS Components is committed to supporting employees who become terminally ill, and have done so in the past.  We have policies and services in place to support both physical and mental wellbeing in our workplaces across the UK.  We are delighted to sign this charter in support of the campaign.”

Lee Barron - TUC Midlands Regional Secretary says: “I’m delighted that RS Components has shown real leadership in this area, working with Usdaw to guarantee fair treatment for terminally-ill workers. We now have 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.”

Notes for editors:
 
The official signing took place at RS Components in Corby on Friday 20 September 2019. Picture: www.usdaw.org.uk/DyingToWork0919 Caption: RS Components and staff along with representatives of Usdaw and the TUC at the Dying for Work Charter.

The TUC Dying to Work Voluntary Charter states:
1. We recognise that terminal illness requires support and understanding and not additional and avoidable stress and worry.
2. Terminally ill workers will be secure in the knowledge that we will support them following their diagnosis and we recognise that safe and reasonable work can help maintain dignity, offer a valuable distraction and can be therapeutic in itself.
3. We will provide our employees with the security of work, peace of mind and the right to choose the best course of action for themselves and their families which helps them through this challenging period with dignity and without undue financial loss.
4. We support the TUC’s Dying to Work campaign so that all employees battling terminal illness have adequate employment protection and have their death in service benefits protected for the loved ones they leave behind.
More information about the Dying to Work campaign can be found at: www.dyingtowork.co.uk
 
A list of Charter signatories can be found at: www.dyingtowork.co.uk/whos-signed/
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 410,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion