A groundbreaking agreement to help terminally ill employees stay in work has today (Tuesday) been signed by Harrow Council.

Harrow is the first London borough to sign up to the voluntary Dying to Work Charter.

The charter will provide protection to more than 5,800 staff working at the local authority and in schools across the borough.

Council leader Sachin Shah said: “I am proud that Harrow is the first London borough to sign this charter to protect terminally ill employees.

“The last thing they need is additional stress and worry about their jobs on top of what is already a challenging time.

“We are committed to supporting terminally ill employees following diagnosis, and will make sure they are given peace of mind and dignity.”

Harrow Times:

The charter is a Trades Union Congress (TUC) initiative which sets out how employers can support terminally ill workers following their diagnosis.

It forms part of the TUC’s Dying to Work campaign, which is striving to provide greater security for terminally ill workers through a “protected period” where they cannot be dismissed as a result of their condition.

Dying to Work was set up by the TUC following the case of Jacci Woodcock, a 58-year-old sales manager who was forced out of her job after being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.

Lee Baron, of TUC, said: “Harrow Council are to be commended for signing up to the charter, working with unions to guarantee fair treatment for workers who find themselves in this position.

“We trust that more employers across London and indeed the UK will follow the footsteps of Harrow Council and sign the Dying to Work Charter.”