BOLTON Council and its fellow Greater Manchester councils have agreed to a charter to help terminally ill workers.

The 10 councils and the combine authority have signed up to the TUC's Dying to Work campaign which seeks security for terminally ill workers through a protected period.

Lynn Collins, TUC regional secretary said: “Worrying about your job should be the least of your concerns when you receive a terminal diagnosis.

“Greater Manchester Combined Authority should be commended."

The TUC Dying to Work Voluntary Charter states the following:

1. We recognise that terminal illness requires support and understanding and not additional and avoidable stress and worry.

2. Terminally ill workers will be secure in the knowledge that we will support them following their diagnosis and we recognise that safe and reasonable work can help maintain dignity, offer a valuable distraction and can be therapeutic in itself.

3. We will provide our employees with the security of work, peace of mind and the right to choose the best course of action for themselves and their families which helps them through this challenging period with dignity and without undue financial loss.

4. We support the TUC’s Dying to Work campaign so that all employees battling terminal illness have adequate employment protection and have their death in service benefits protected for the loved ones they leave behind