Support pledged for terminally ill staff
Council chiefs in Walsall have rubber stamped policies to support terminally ill people employed by them.
The authority’s new sickness absence policy was agreed by its personnel committee and includes clear guidelines on supporting staff affected by terminal illness.
This includes extending occupational sick pay (OSP) and death in service benefits that see bereaved families receiving tax-free payments.
Both council leader Mike Bird and his Walsall Labour group counterpart Aftab Nawaz said it was vital that staff were fully supported during traumatic times.
Councillor Bird added that it was also crucial that terminally ill employees were advised on filling out paperwork correctly to ensure their loved ones received the full benefits.
He said: “It’s important that we are looking after our employee’s welfare. I welcome the changes regarding terminal illness.
“It’s a traumatic time for families and I would also ask we do make all employees aware there is a box to tick if they die in service – and I hope that doesn’t happen – that says that package will be outside of their estate which will be tax free. But if they don’t tick that box then it will be not.
Councillor Nawaz added: “This is really important and I’m happy that we have brought that forward. There is one person here who is unfortunately in that sad situation
“It is extremely important that we are a caring council.”
The policy states: “Where the employee is terminally ill careful and sensitive management will be required.
“Where employees are able and wish to continue working managers will work with them to make adjustments where reasonable and provide all appropriate support.
“The council will work to ensure the employees preferred outcome is taken into consideration and will explore all available options including the continuation of work, reviewing ill health retirement (IHR) and death in service benefits, extending OSP and potential termination under this or any other relevant policy.
“The sickness absence guidance provides further detail on managing sickness absence due to terminal illness and covers IHR and extended OSP.”
