Dying to Work 

Lee Barron is spearheading the Parliamentary campaign that would see employees with a terminal illness recognised as a ‘protected characteristic’ which has moved a step closer to implementing the policy across Whitehall. 
The Dying to Work campaign, established by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), wants to see terminal illness recognised as a ‘protected characteristic’ so that an employee with a terminal illness would enjoy a ‘protected period’ where they could not be dismissed as a result of their condition. 
Lee Barron, who before being elected an MP, was Regional Secretary for the TUC in the Midlands, has been championing the campaign since being elected to Westminster in July 2024. 
It’s legal in this country to sack a worker diagnosed with a terminal illness. That is wrong. Lee recently met with Georgia Gould MP, Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office to agree ways to get central government to sign up to the TUC Dying to Work Charter. 
In reality this means committing the employer, in this case the UK Government, to support, not sack terminally ill workers. 
As Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office Georgia Gould is responsible for public sector reform, Oversight of government functions, Cabinet Office business planning and performance of Public Bodies. The TUC Charter already protects over 1.5 million workers and getting central government endorsement is crucial if we are to change the law. At the end of 2024, Lee Barron led a 90-minute debate at Westminster Hall in Parliament, on the issue and the need to change the law. 
 
In that debate Lee told fellow MPs that ‘if you have been given a terminal illness diagnoses, the last thing you should be worrying about is taking your workplace to an employment tribunal. This debate is about our values as a society and our values are of compassion and fairness. Those values shouldn’t stop at the front door of your workplace. 
You can watch a recording of the debate at Employment rights of people with a terminal illness - Full Westminster Hall Debate (19/12/2024) 
 
The Dying to Work campaign has explained the potential effects of losing employment following a terminal diagnosis which include a reduced income and loss of financial security, loss of stimulation, dignity and normality associated with being in employment, undergoing an inevitably stressful and upsetting HR procedure and loss of ‘Death in Service’ and ‘Life Assurance’ payments to family members and loved ones. 
 
A number of employers in Corby and East Northants, where Lee Barron is the Member of Parliament, have already signed up to the Charter. These include RS Components, Wincanton and the Royal Mail. 

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