Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid has joined the JG HR pledge, supporting paid time off to attend routine breast screenings and to provide better cancer support in the workplace.

The JG HR pledge was developed by HR professional Julie Grabham who was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2022. Julie’s diagnosis was discovered by a routine mammogram as part of the breast screening programme as she had experienced no signs or symptoms of cancer prior to the screening.

While going through treatment, Julie found out that a number of routine screening appointments are regularly missed and one of the reasons for this is that employees will not ask or can’t afford to take time off from work to attend the screenings.

Julie decided that this must change and set up the JG HR to encourage employers to actively support employees by giving them paid time off to attend routine breast screening appointments and regularly talk about cancer in the workplace with the support of professionals.

All UK businesses can sign up to the JG HR pledge for free and will receive a certificate in English or Welsh to demonstrate their commitment to their employees.

Penny Lock, the Chamber’s director of partnerships, said:

“We are delighted to support the JG HR pledge; this should be normalised across all working policy. We hope that more businesses throughout Wales will join this pledge and actively promote paid time off work for routine breast screenings and better cancer support in the workplace.”