The TUC is asking employers to sign up to its voluntary charter to stop cases like Jacci’s happening in the future.

TUC Midlands, Regional Secretary Lee Barron, said: 

“Your job should be the least of your worries when you get a terminal diagnosis. 

“I’m delighted that St Helena have shown real leadership in this area, working with unions to guarantee fair treatment for terminally-ill workers. 

“We now have over 1.5 million workers being covered by the Dying to Work charter across the country, and we expect more employers to commit in the coming months.”

Mark Jarman-Howe, chief executive at St Helena, said:

“As an organisation dedicated to helping local people facing incurable illness, we are all too aware of the impact a diagnosis of life limiting illness has on people, not only in their daily lives but in the workplace too. 

“I am delighted we have signed up to the Dying to Work Charter and we are committed to ensuring that we demonstrate the same compassion, dignity and choice to our staff, as we do the thousands of people we support each year across north east Essex.  

“No one facing incurable illness should have to endure unnecessary emotional stress and uncertainty because of fears they could lose their job. Signing the charter is a simple but important step for employers to take in preventing this. As part of our Compassionate Communities work, I would urge all employers to join us.”