If you do discover you have breast cancer, when it comes to your job there is some protection in law. Employees with cancer are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act, so your employer has to make reasonable adjustments to help you at work.
‘What individuals are entitled to from their employer after their diagnosis and throughout their treatment does still vary widely from company to company,’ says Linda Kelly, assistant director of Human Resources at Breast Cancer Care. ‘Find someone from your HR department to talk through what your entitlements are, now and in the future, and what the company Sick Pay scheme is. If your company doesn’t have an HR department, then try to gather as much information as you can, including your contract of employment, staff handbook and any other policies regarding absence that have been circulated.
‘Sadly, there are still cases of poor practice and people being badly treated, which is always disappointing to hear.
I’m hopeful with the increase in organisations such as ours speaking to employers, answering queries from employees affected through our helpline and continuing to educate on the various ways treatment can affect staff working within organisations, that we’re on the right track for the future.’
Breast Cancer Care has its own guide to best practice in the workplace. The EMPLOY Charter provides an overview on what you might expect from your employer after diagnosis, from regular dialogue to keep both parties updated to flexible working arrangements to accommodate medical appointments.
To download your free copy, visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk/employ.