UCU welcomes University of Kent's pledge to support terminally ill workers

The University of Kent is the first university to sign the TUC's Dying to Work Charter,which is part of its Dying to Work campaign, which seeks greater security for terminally ill workers so they cannot be dismissed as a result of their condition.

The campaign 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.

UCU branch secretary Owen Lyne said: 'We wholeheartedly welcome the University of Kent signing the Dying to Work Charter. We believe this will provide significant reassurance to members of staff and their families if they ever have to face the trauma of a terminal illness diagnosis. The university should be commended for blazing a trail in this regard and we hope other institutions will follow Kent's lead.'

Lee Barron from the TUC said: 'Worrying about your job should be the least of your concerns when you receive a terminal diagnosis. Over 350,000 workers across the UK are now covered by the Dying to Work Charter.'