Sarcoma treatment is often extensive and can impact on a person’s ability to continue in work or return to work. While some people can continue working throughout their cancer treatment, others may find it difficult or impossible due to the side effect of their treatment. Many of our patients express concerns about whether they will be able to continue working, how their employer might respond, what their rights are, and how long they will manage financially if they need to take time off work.
If you have cancer, the law recognises it as a disability. This means you cannot be treated less favourably than those without cancer simply because of your diagnosis. This would be discrimination.
There are laws that protect you from being discriminated against at work because of cancer. If you live in:
- England, Scotland or Wales, the Equality Act 2010 protects you
- Northern Ireland, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 protects you
The Equality Act (2010) and the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) say that if your employer is aware of your disability, your employer is required to try and make reasonable adjustments for you. Reasonable adjustments are modifications made to your job or the workplace that enable you to continue working or return to work.
It is your choice if you wish to disclose your cancer diagnosis and treatment with your employer. It can be helpful to speak with your Human Resources department if your employer has one or if your workplace has an occupational health advisor, you can ask your line manager for a referral as they can support with a return to work plan and reasonable adjustments. You can also apply for ‘Access to work’ which is a government funded employment support programme that aims to help more disabled people start or stay in work. It can provide practical and financial support if you have a disability or physical or mental health condition.
At RNOH, we have a specialised occupational therapy service that may be able to provide you further support with returning to work.
Below are some links which may help you.
Macmillan:
The following information from Macmillan may help answer some of your questions. If you would prefer to talk to someone in person, you can get help from Macmillan expert advisers by calling the Work Support Service helpline on 0808 808 0000
Understanding cancer and employment rights | Macmillan Cancer Support
Work and cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
Understanding cancer and employment rights | Macmillan Cancer Support
Making decisions about work after treatment | Macmillan Cancer Support
Self employed: Self-employment and cancer | Understanding your choices | Macmillan Cancer Support
Maggie's:
Work and cancer | Maggie's (maggies.org)
Information:
Reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities or health conditions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)