Receiving a cancer diagnosis affects everyone differently. Adding the complexity of how you manage work during treatment is an additional strain at an already difficult time.

Working With Cancer is a social enterprise dedicated to bridging the knowledge gap for people needing advice on how to manage work and cancer. These top tips are designed to give you a starting point. For more information please contact us.

1. Understand your options

Anyone with cancer is automatically counted as disabled under the Equality Act. This means that your cancer can’t be used as a reason to treat you differently at work and it gives you the right to ask for reasonable adjustments such as being able to work from home and flexible working hours. (see tip 3)

Familiarise yourself with your employer’s sick leave policies and your Occupational and Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) entitlement, which provide financial support during illness-related absences. Many employers have occupational sick pay policies that enhance SSP as well as benefits such as Income Protection Schemes. Your HR manager will be able to advise you.

Government Guidance

Citizens Advice: What counts as disability discrimination

2. Take control of who knows about your cancer

You have the right to control who knows about your condition at work.

You don’t have to disclose your cancer to your employer, or to a prospective employer. However, if you don’t let them know, you can’t ask for reasonable adjustments to be made for you.

You can tell a restricted number of people such as the HR department and your line manager and ask that they keep your information confidential from other colleagues.

If you do decide to tell colleagues about your diagnosis it can be beneficial. It gives them the chance to support you and allows you to let them know when you may need help. There may also be a number of colleagues who have experience of cancer who could support you.

3. Ask for reasonable adjustments

Under the Equality Act 2010 you have the legal right to reasonable (or workplace) adjustments to help you continue working during treatment or when you return to work after treatment. Examples of these include:  flexible working hours, remote working, a phased return to work over several weeks or months, reduced workloads, rest breaks, physical adjustments, modified uniforms.

Speak with your line manager and/or HR manager to request these. They may refer you an occupational health service to provide recommendations about these which is good standard practice and nothing to worry about.

ACAS advice

4. Be kind to yourself

Don’t underestimate how much time it will take for you to adjust to working with cancer. You might be worried about letting other people down but you need to give yourself time and space to recover, and all of us are affected differently. For example, two people might have the same diagnosis and the same treatment but experience very different physical and psychological side effects.

It’s rarely the case that we ‘return to normal’. Rather we move forward and find a new form of normal.

If you have taken time off for treatment, you may well need a phased return of at least 12 weeks. You may well find you need more than this if you have had chemotherapy. Please be aware however that your employer is not obliged to pay you for days when you aren’t working and they may suggest you maintain your earnings by using some of your annual leave.

5. Consider working with cancer coaching

Working With Cancer offers specialised coaching and support to help you manage your work and your job during and after cancer treatment.

As part of this you might want to reflect on your work and career goals and plan for the future. Cancer often prompts a re-evaluation of work-life balance and our aspirations. Our coaching process will help you do that.  

Cancer coaching is a confidential, personalised programme of one-to-one sessions with a qualified coach who has lived experience of cancer.  

We provide this to employers, employees living with cancer, people returning to work after treatment, carers balancing work with caring responsibilities, and anyone navigating cancer and work without the support of an employer. 

We support employers whose employees are affected by cancer with coaching, advice and guidance in line with current legislation, so that they can provide the best possible support.  

To find out more, visit our pages for employers, employees and carers. You can also contact us or sign up to one of our regular free webinars to find out more.  Visit our Workshops and Webinars  page to find out when the next one is taking place. 

6. Access financial support

There may be additional financial support options available to cover costs related to your diagnosis and treatment including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and the government’s Access To Work scheme. The benefits system is always changing so always seek up to date advice.

Maggies

Macmillan’s benefit advisory service  

Access to Work – Department of Work & Pensions Grant

Personal Independence Payment – Department of Work and Pensions

7. Utilise workplace and patient support networks

Support networks can offer invaluable support and assistance, so make it a priority to connect with support networks within or external to your workplace. External cancer support groups are often available in your local hospital, or via specialist cancer charities.