Fochabers firefighter signs union up to national Dying to Work charter
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A FOCHABERS-based firefighter has signed a national charter on behalf of the union he represents.
Crew Commander Dave Crawford, who is the Scottish representative for the Fire and Rescue Services Association (FRSA) was at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) headquarters in Cambuslang recently to sign the union up to the Dying to Work campaign
Managed by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the campaign aims to help employees who become terminally ill at work. Employers are encouraged to sign up to a voluntary charter which makes a number of commitments to employees.
Signing the voluntary charter of the Dying to Work Campaign is an employer’s commitment to ensure that all employees who have a terminal illness have adequate employment protection and to provide financial security at a time when it is most needed.
In addition to the SFRS and the FRSA, the other signatories include: Unison; Unite; the Fire Brigades Union (FBU); the Fire Officers Association (FOA); the Fire Leaders Association (FLA).
Mr Crawford said: “The FRSA proudly supports the Dying to Work Charter which demonstrates a public commitment to treat terminally ill employees with the necessary support, while showing empathy and sensitivity in what is a very difficult time emotionally and financially for employees and their families.
"As a union, we were very keen to sign up.
"The charter basically gives peace of mind to employees who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. It takes the stress away by re-assuring them that their job is still there and that they don't have to worry about any potential financial implications of their illness.
"They have the choice to carry on working as long as they are able or spend what valuable time remains to them with their families.
"We would also wish to thank the SFRS and other stakeholders for signing the charter, which emphasises the strength of feeling of just how important this matter is to all employees and how it could affect anyone within the organisation.
"The charter covers everyone at the SFRS, from admin staff through to frontline firefighters, thousands of people in total.”
SFRS Chief Officer Martin Blunden commented: “We support the TUC’s Dying to Work Campaign and in signing the Dying to Work Charter, we show our continued commitment to the welfare of the staff of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“The health and wellbeing of our staff is a priority and when employees are faced with a serious or terminal illness, it is important that they are able to choose the path that is right for them and their families, without having the additional worry of financial uncertainty. We hope that the signing of this charter will provide reassurance to our employees that they have the support of their employer at a time when they need it the most.”
STUC President/Unite Scottish Secretary, Pat Rafferty, added: "The STUC wholeheartedly supports the Dying to Work Charter and we warmly welcome the SFRS showing leadership by committing to it as well.
"It's vital that organisations and employers support workers who become terminally ill. In these circumstances the worker and their families face huge emotional stress, anxiety, and possible financial worries. The Dying to Work Charter can help to alleviate some of these stresses and sets out a progressive way in which workers should be treated, and supported in the event of a terminal diagnosis.
"The charter is about giving an individual options around how they want to proceed at work. In some cases, an individual will want to continue to work for as long as they can while in other cases a person may decide that they do not want to work any more, and would rather spend their remaining time with family and friends.
"Therefore, we thank the SFRS for signing the charter and allowing workers to exercise choice in the most difficult of circumstances."
