Mansfield-based company Pellacraft became one of the first Nottinghamshire businesses to sign the “Dying to Work” charter, backing a campaign supporting terminally ill employees in the workplace.

The campaign was launched in February 2016, and currently over 60,000 UK based employees are now protected by employers who have backed the campaign.

Dying to Work was taken forward by the TUC following the case of Jacci Woodcook, a 58-year-old 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.

The charter is part of the TUC’s wider Dying to Work campaign which is seeking greater security for terminally ill workers through a ‘protected period’ where they cannot be dismissed as a result of their condition.

In lending it’s support to the campaign, Pellacraft joins organisations such as E.on, Santander and Legal and General as well as Nottinghamshire-based organisations Nottingham City Homes, Central College Nottingham and Nottinghamshire County Council, which was the first county council to sign up to the Charter

Pellacraft has also assisted the campaign by provided campaign promotional merchandise and developing the campaign official website http://www.dyingtowork.co.uk

Commenting, Nicola Pella, Director at Pellacraft said “One of our core values is putting people first. Pellacraft was founded on our ability to put our clients first and we feel treating our employees is just as important and keeps in line with our aim to promote worker’s rights and social justice thus upholding our core values.”

Midlands TUC Regional Secretary, Lee Barron, said: “Worrying about your job should be the least of your concerns when you receive a terminal diagnosis. We are delighted that Pellacraft have signed the TUC’s Dying to Work Charter and been such strong supporters of the campaign.”

“More than 60,000 employees across the country are now covered by the charter. There is real momentum behind the campaign as we work to secure the dignity and protection that all terminally ill workers deserve.

“Over the coming months we expect more companies to follow Pellacraft’s lead and commit to the charter as we take the Dying to Work campaign into more workplaces.”

Pictured are Frances O’Grady , of the TUC, and Pellacraft founder Steve Pella.