Supporting employees through their cancer journey

An estimated 3.5 million people are currently living with cancer in the UK. For many of those people, continuing to work can be a vital way of maintaining a sense of normality when everything else feels so uncertain. But of course, given the challenges that treatment, surgery and rehabilitation can present, some changes will need to be made, and it is the responsibility of employers to lead on those. Read on as the Occupational Health experts at YourGP guide you through these changes and how they can benefit not just the employee, but your entire work culture.

Why the workplace can be such an important anchor

A cancer diagnosis can turn a person’s life upside down, but for those who are able, continuing to work can help both physically and mentally. For some, work can help a person to maintain a routine and give them stability. For others, it can provide a welcome distraction. And it can also be an important way to maintain social connections with colleagues. For most however, it is a necessity – essential bills still need to be covered by an income.

Reasonable adjustments that can make all the difference

As an employer, it is important that you understand your responsibilities and duty of care to look after your employees. This includes understanding what reasonable adjustments and practical steps you should make to support your employee as they navigate something that is physically, mentally and emotionally challenging.

Every person’s cancer journey is different and it can affect employees in vastly different ways. Therefore, it is important to have open communication in order to make the right adjustments for the individual. Potential examples could include:

• Allowing time off for medical appointments and surgery, as well as time to deal with side effects of treatment and rehabilitation.
• Organising a phased return to work, if and when they are ready.
• Offering flexible working arrangements such as working from home, if possible.
• Reducing their working hours.
• Allowing them to take more frequent breaks if they are struggling with fatigue.
• Ensuring workloads are manageable and reducing stress by delegating some tasks to other employees.
• Ensuring the workplace is fully accessible if they need to use mobility equipment, or moving their workspace closer to the entrance or closer to a toilet, for example.
• Ensuring they have somewhere safe to store their medication.

Other aspects to consider

It is important to ensure your policies relating to sickness absence and long-term health conditions are kept up to date and that all employees are familiar with these.

It is also essential that you maintain open communication with your employee throughout their cancer journey and be flexible if and when their needs change.

Finally, it is vital that compassion for the employee remains at the heart of all decisions. Respect their right to privacy – it is their decision whether or not they wish to disclose their diagnosis to their colleagues, for example. Listen to their needs and wishes, and work together to meet them, if possible, to help them get the most out of their work-life.

Cancer can affect any one at any time

One in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in our life. Whether you have an employee that is directly dealing with cancer or not, the chances are they will know someone who is, and the workplace is a great place to raise awareness.

Educate your team by marking awareness days, or come together for a team bonding challenge and raise money for a cancer charity. This will all help to create the basis of an understanding, compassionate and supportive work culture, which will prove to be vital if anyone in the team is diagnosed in future.

Speak to the OH experts at YourGP

If you would like more information on how you can support an employee with cancer, speak to the Occupational Health experts at YourGP. Not only can we provide tailored advice on practical steps and reasonable adjustments, we can also advise on the return to work process, risk assessments, and company policies relating to sickness absence and long-term health conditions.

Simply call 0131 225 5656 or email occhealth@your.gp and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.