CAF Rolling Stock UK has signed the TUC’s Dying to Work Charter committing to support employees diagnosed with a terminal condition to work for as long as they want.
The charter is part of the TUC’s Dying to Work Campaign, seeking greater job security for terminally ill workers to ensure they can not be dismissed as a result of their condition.
CAF Rolling Stock UK first became aware of the campaign last year when, during the company’s annual pay negotiations, a request was raised by the GMB to sign the charter.
Recognising that its behaviours already aligned with the voluntary charter’s principles, CAF Rolling Stock UK pledged to become a signatory to formally demonstrate its support for colleagues with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Darren Cumner, Chief Operating Officer of CAF Rolling Stock UK Ltd, Kevin Williams of Wales TUC and Kelly Andrews, on behalf of Jill Richards of GMB, signed the voluntary charter at CAF’s Newport facility in South Wales on Tuesday, 13 June. GMB Branch President Marc Devine, GMB Branch Secretary Mike Watkins, GMB Regional Organiser Paul McGuire, and CAF Rolling Stock UK Ltd Head of HR & Support Services Jenny Buck were in attendance.
Darren Cumner, Chief Operating Officer of CAF Rolling Stock UK, explained: “Our employees are the heart of our business, and we believe they should always feel valued and treated with dignity and respect.
“We are proud to sign the Dying to Work Charter. We are committed to providing support, security and understanding to terminally ill staff and to helping them stay in their job for as long as they want.
“Sadly, we have experienced supporting a valued colleague when he was diagnosed with a terminal illness.
“As his physical condition deteriorated we enabled him to continue to work entirely from home, providing all the necessary equipment and ensuring he continued to feel connected to the business through maintaining communications, including regular home visits from his manager.
“Sadly, he passed away at the beginning of this year.”
CAF Rolling Stock UK is to plant a commemorative tree in the company’s garden of remembrance as a living memorial to their colleague.
Photo credit: CAF
