Financial services organisation Lloyds Banking Group has signed the Trades Union Congress’ (TUC) ‘Dying to work’ charter, in order to offer greater security to employees who are living and working with a terminal illness.
The voluntary charter forms part of the TUC’s wider ‘Dying to work’ campaign. This seeks to have terminal illness recognised as a protected characteristic, so employees can enjoy a protected period at work where they cannot be dismissed as a result of their condition.
Rebecca Priestley, people director at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We have been working hard to provide specialist advice and support for [employees] living with a terminal illness.
“Reflecting this important support, we have agreed to become a signatory of the charter, which underscores our commitment to be there for [employees] through challenging times, when they need us most.”
The charter further aims to give employees with terminal illnesses more choice in how to spend their final months, and offers peace of mind around job security.
Lloyds Banking Group formally signed the charter on Monday 20 August 2018. Other employers who have signed the ‘Dying to work’ charter include Rolls-Royce, Royal Mail, the Co-op and Santander.
Paul Nowak, deputy general secretary at the TUC, added: “[An employee’s] job should be the least of [their] worries when [they] get a terminal diagnosis.
“I’m delighted that Lloyds Banking Group [has] shown real leadership in this area, working with unions to guarantee fair treatment for terminally ill [employees].
“Millions of [employees] are now covered by the Dying to work charter across the country, which is a real success and we expect more employers to follow Lloyds and sign up in the coming months.”