With terminal illness now a nationwide issue – one-in-three people are projected to be diagnosed with cancer, according to Cancer Research UK – the charter aims to make employers more aware of the impact caused.
Hovis was reportedly the first employer within the bread category to have signed the charter, which will see it commit to providing terminally ill employees with security in their jobs. It joins biscuit manufacturer Pladis as the second food company to sign up to the programme.
‘Focus on themselves’
HR director Pete Hill said: “For those who are given a terminal diagnosis, it is important that they can focus on themselves and their families without the stress of needing to worry about their employment.”
The baked goods manufacturer signed the charter alongside its four recognised unions, the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union (BFAWU), Unite the Union, United Road Transport Union (URTU) and the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW).
“This is a practice that we have naturally adopted, so I did not hesitate in agreeing to sign the charter when asked to do so by our four unions, BFAWU, Unite the Union, USDAW and URTU,” Hill added.
Peace of mind
BFAWU national president Ian Hodson welcomed the work done between Hovis and the trade unions to guarantee peace of mind to its colleagues diagnosed with a terminal illness.
“Hovis is the first employer in our industry to sign up for the charter and one of only a few private-sector employers to do so, and I hope today’s signing encourages other employers to provide the same support moving forward,” said Hodson.
