An MP led a debate calling for changes in law to provide additional employment protection for terminally ill workers. While rare, a loophole allows some employers to dismiss workers with terminal diagnoses. The government, however, stated a change in law is not necessary, while other political parties expressed their commitment to working cross-party on this issue.
An MP says a debate on employee rights for terminally ill workers is 'the start of a conversation, not the end'. Lee Barron, the Labour MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, led a 90-minute debate at Westminster Hall for a change in the law to create additional employment protection for people who have been told they have less than six months to live. Though rare, Mr Barron said a 'loophole' meant some employers were able to dismiss workers who were terminally ill.
However, responding on behalf of the government, a minister in the Department of Business and Trade said a change was not needed.He said: 'If you have been given a terminal diagnosis, the last thing you should be worrying about is taking your workplace to an employment tribunal. 'It is about our values as a society and our values are of compassion and fairness. Those values shouldn't stop at the front door of your workplace. 'I fully welcome that there were three other political parties in there all wanting to work cross-party with us.' Greg Smith, MP for Mid Buckinghamshire and Conservative spokesperson for Business and Trade, echoed that sentiment. He told the debate he was 'committed' to working to 'improve the lives of those who have a terminal diagnosis'. He said it was important that people with terminal illnesses should be 'supported and cared for in their final months.
TERMINALLY ILL EMPLOYEE RIGHTS EMPLOYMENT LAW PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE SOCIAL WELFARE
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