8 Top Tips for Managing Work and Cancer
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a very personal experience that affects everyone differently. Adding the question of how you manage work during your diagnosis and treatment can be an additional strain at a difficult time.
Working With Cancer is a social enterprise dedicated to bridging the knowledge gap for people encountering the need to manage work and cancer. These top tips are designed to give you a starting point to consider what you want and what you need.
We hope you find them helpful.
- Understand your options
Did you know that 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 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: https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay
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 to your employer, or to a prospective employer, that you have cancer. 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 chance to support you and allows you to let them know when you may need help. There may also be people who have experience of cancer who could support you.
3. Ask for reasonable adjustments.
Speak with your HR Manager to ask for a referral to an occupational health service to be provided with recommendations for workplace adjustments to help you continue working during treatment or when you return to work after treatment.
Examples of workplace adjustments include: flexible working hours, remote working, phased return to work, reduced workloads, rest breaks, physical adjustments, modified uniforms.
ACAS advce: https://www.acas.org.uk/using-occupational-health-at-work
4. Be kind to yourself
Don’t underestimate how much time it will take for you to adjust to work and cancer. People are often worried about letting other people down. But you need to give yourself permission to understand how cancer will affect you. Returning to work or managing to work during treatments is a process for you as well as your company. Everything won’t return to normal quickly, in fact you will have to find your new normal, and you need to be ready for days, or times, when you will need extra support.
If you have taken time off for treatment for cancer, then do feel confident in asking for at least 12 weeks of phased return to work if you feel you need it. You may well find you need more than this. 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. 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) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and the government’s Access To Work scheme. We are aware that as we write this the benefits system is changing so always seek up to date advice.
Maggies: https://www.maggies.org/cancer-support/managing-practically/money-benefits-and-cancer/
Government: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is – GOV.UK
Job Centre Guide: What is Access to Work?
6. 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.
7. Plan your career
It may be helpful to reflect on your work and career goals and plan for the future. Cancer may prompt a re-evaluation of work-life balance and career aspirations. Discuss potential career development, or retraining opportunities with your employer, or contact us to find out about career coaching.
8. Consider coaching
Working With Cancer offers specialised coaching and support to help you manage your career during and after cancer treatment.
- Working with Cancer https://workingwithcancer.co.uk/employees/
- You can also sign up to one of our regular free webinars to find out more https://workingwithcancer.co.uk/resources/events/