Articles
Blogs and articles written for various organisations about managing work and cancer. We have organised these according to whether you are: someone who has/has had cancer; an HR professional or a policy maker about managing cancer in the workplace; a line manager; a carer, colleague or supporter of someone with cancer. Choose from the options below:
Or, click here to view a full list of articles.
Working while caring for someone with cancer: the issues carers face and how employers can help
Posted: 1st June 2014
How often have we in HR stated in our visions, missions, strategies and policies that ‘our people are our greatest asset’ and /or that we aim to be an ‘employer of choice’? But what does this mean in practice – when our employees have to cope with life’s misfortunes and emergencies? What can you do… [Read More]
Comparing The Issues For Employers In Supporting Employees After Cancer And With Mental Health Issues
Posted: 18th May 2014
A “conversation” between Barbara Wilson of Working with Cancer and Alex Tambourides, Hammersmith and Fulham MIND. Employers should be confident and proactive in helping to remove barriers, not increasing the barriers towards returning to work. Written for Squire Patton Boggs, May 2014 Read the full article here
Early Days: Dealing with Your Cancer Diagnosis and Work
Posted: 9th May 2014
So you’ve had ‘the news’ and you are coping with the fact that you really do have cancer. Your family and friends are also coming to terms with it all. Suddenly your life (at home and at work) isn’t your own to plan – the doctors need to see you on certain days at specific… [Read More]
Work after cancer: what are the options and how can employers help?
Posted: 20th April 2014
Working can provide survivors of the disease with financial stability and improve the recovery process. Written for Guardian Society, April 2014 Read the full article here
What is the hidden impact of cancer? And what support can employers offer?
Posted: 11th March 2014
After the rollercoaster journey of receiving a cancer diagnosis and treatment, many cancer survivors and their employers believe that after a return to work plan has been agreed and a few reasonable adjustments have been made, life will be pretty much back to normal in a few weeks. However, this can be a particularly difficult… [Read More]
Supporting Those Affected By Cancer To Return To Work
Posted: 18th February 2014
More than 40% of people diagnosed with cancer make changes to their working lives, with almost half changing jobs or leaving work altogether. The total loss in productivity of cancer survivors unable to return to paid work in England was estimated in 2008 to be £5.3bn. So, what is happening here, and why? Every case… [Read More]
How can managers support working carers who look after someone with cancer?
Posted: 1st December 2013
What should employers do..what is essential and what is good practice? Let’s start with the essential: there are various pieces of legislation that employers should be aware of Written for Macmillan Cancer Support, December 2013 Read the full article here
Why are men less open about their health issues and how can employers better support male employees affected by cancer?
Posted: 1st September 2013
This problem is not specific to cancer or to the UK. Research seems to indicate that there are two main reasons why men don’t ask for support, which would apply both to men with cancer and men caring for others with cancer. Written for Macmillan Cancer Support, September 2013 Read the full article here
How can I embed a workplace policy on managing people with cancer and other long term conditions in my organisation?
Posted: 18th May 2013
Support from the top makes a big difference, and too often it is the case that this only really happens when those people have been affected personally. I think there are three major areas where HR can contribute a great deal to effecting change. Written for Macmillan Cancer Support, May 2013 Read the full article… [Read More]
What should an employer consider when making reasonable adjustments for an employee with cancer?
Posted: 18th February 2013
Following a cancer diagnosis, most people need time off work for treatment. This could last for several weeks or months. Whilst most cancers have a typical ‘care pathway’, every person is unique in terms of their cancer journey, their treatment and when they feel ready to return to work. Written for Macmillan Cancer Support, Feb… [Read More]