Morrisons is the latest employer to sign up to the Dying to Work voluntary charter, following in the footsteps of many public sector bodies such as police forces, fire and rescue authorities, councils and NHS Trusts. Private sector employers include Unilever, Lloyds Banking Group, Rolls Royce, Pladis, Wincanton and RS Components.
The charter is part of the TUC’s wider ‘Dying to Work’ campaign which is seeking greater security for terminally ill workers, so 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 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.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary says: “Usdaw has long been a supporter of the Dying to Work charter and we are pleased to have partnered with many businesses to ensure additional employment protection for terminally ill workers. Every person battling terminal conditions deserves the choice of how to spend their final months.”
Darren Matthews - Usdaw national officer says: “Workers should always be treated with dignity and respect by their employer. Signing the charter reassures our members that, should the worst happen, they will be treated properly by their employer. I’m delighted that Morrisons, a major UK retailer, have agreed to sign the charter, which is very much welcomed by Usdaw.”
Clare Grainger, Group People & Corporate Services Director at Morrisons, said: “We are proud to sign the Dying to Work Charter, reinforcing our commitment to caring properly for our colleagues especially at the most difficult of times. The signing of this charter represents our promise to continue to provide support and understanding to those facing terminal illnesses, ensuring they can focus on what truly matters without the added stress of job security. Together we can create a workplace where everyone feels supported and valued.”
Paul Nowak - TUC General Secretary says: “Your job should be the least of your worries when you get a terminal diagnosis. I’m delighted that Morrisons has shown real leadership in this area, working with unions to guarantee fair treatment for terminally ill workers. Millions of workers are now covered by the ‘Dying to Work’ charter across the country and we expect more employers to follow suit in due course.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
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 Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion