Education providers sign up to Dying to Work Charter

The University of South Wales (USW), Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) and The College, Merthyr Tydfil have signed up to the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) Wales Dying to Work Charter

The Dying to Work Charter is a commitment to support colleagues who are diagnosed with terminal illness. It outlines key principles aimed at ensuring job security, protection of rights, and a compassionate approach to empowering terminally ill colleagues.

USW is the second university in Wales to sign up to the Charter and, together with PSS Ltd, RWCMD and The College, Merthyr Tydfil, join a list of other public and private sector organisations in offering employees a choice about what to do about work.

Individuals are given options about how they wish to proceed with work – some may want to continue to work for as long as they can, supported by reasonable adjustments to help maintain continuity of employment and the right to choose the best course of action for themselves and their families.

Other colleagues may decide that they do not want to continue in work, or it may not be in the interests of the employee to continue working.

Whatever choice a colleague makes, they will receive help and support from USW, RWCMD and The College, Merthyr Tydfil.

The Dying to Work Charter is a meaningful enhancement of a workplace that values its employees beyond their professional contributions and demonstrates a supportive culture that shows understanding, empathy, and care for those facing life-limiting conditions.

Zoe Durrant, Chief People and Inclusion Officer at the University of South Wales, said: “Signing up to the Dying to Work Charter is an important commitment to support our colleagues and empower them to make the best decision for themselves and their families. Any colleague who receives such a heartbreaking diagnosis of terminal illness will be supported in whatever choice that they make about how they wish to proceed with work.”

Helena Gaunt, Principal at RWCMD said: “The Dying to Work Charter commitment aligns clearly with our values at the Royal Welsh College as a close-knit and supportive creative community, and we are proud to be a part of it.”

Sara Fowler, Vice-Principal Resources at The College Merthyr Tydfil, said: “The college is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and caring working environment for all our staff. We are very pleased to formalise this commitment by signing the Dying to Work Charter, which will help ensure that any terminally ill staff are supported to choose the best way forward for themselves and their families.”

Vida Greaux, on behalf of the USW Group Trade Union Alliance (UNISON, UCU and GMB), said: “We are pleased that the Vice-Chancellor and the Principals are demonstrating their commitment by signing the Dying to Work Charter; to provide support and understanding to terminally ill staff at a time of huge emotional stress, fear, uncertainty, and job security. We hope that the USW Group being a signatory of this Charter will give colleagues reassurance that they will be treated with kindness and dignity.”

Kevin Williams, Organising Development Officer, Wales TUC, said: "The Dying To Work Charter demonstrates how an employer can protect the families of employees at one of the hardest times of their lives. I'm thrilled to be a part of the signing by USW and commend them in protecting the future for those left behind."