Cancer support FAQs

If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you may not be sure what kind of help and support is available.

Or perhaps you know someone with cancer, and aren’t sure of the best way to support them, or even what to say and what not to say.

We’ve put together some guidance to help answer some common workplace questions about cancer.

What can employers do to support employees?

• Firstly, it’s important to recognise the possible impact on your team and on yourself.
• Be flexible with time off for treatment, rest and support time. Show genuine care by providing compassionate leave days for hospital appointments.
• Provide an in-house cancer support group, run by employees and meeting regularly, where the focus is on mental health and relieving anxiety through talking.
• Offer a quiet space like a wellbeing room to read and relax, offering access to supportive information such as leaflets, self-help books, and counselling details.
• Offer free online courses (available via MacMillan) or bring cancer charities in over lunchtimes for information and one-to-one conversations.
• Offer line manager training on long term sickness.

What should I say?

• Allow the employee to talk as long as they need to in a confidential and quiet space.
• Let them cry and show emotion – provide physical comfort.
• Do not offer platitudes - this could simply make the person frustrated or angry.
• Do not talk about work or deadlines; reassure them that any work will be picked up by the team.
• If their family member has cancer, ask them what help they need. Do they need to take time off to act as a carer? Do they need their work adjusted to reduce stress?
• Waiting for results is very stressful, and can make you feel out of control. Understand if your employee cannot work due to anxiety/stress, and recognise that no two situations are alike.

Cancer impacts people in many ways – how do I know what to do?

• Let them be your guide. Ask them what you can do to help. They may be in shock and may not know straight away, so ask at regular intervals.
• Most cancer sufferers will have numerous issues to deal with on top of cancer –worried family, children, financial issues – so bear this in mind. Often the person with cancer holds up the family and this can add to an already very stressful time.

How often and when should I contact a sick employee?

Ask them how they would like to be contacted. Some people like to be left alone and will contact you if they need anything. Others prefer regular contact, which could be via phone/emails/texts or visits at home.

What should I do when the employee can return to work?

• The employee may be physically well but this is often when mental health issues appear.
• Be sensitive to fatigue, stress, anxiety, depression, pain or physical changes – this is especially important near hospital check-up times.
• The employee might need to move desks to be near to the toilet. They may need a disabled parking space, or to change roles for a period of time to adjust for stress levels. Consider their travel commitments.
• Where possible, they may need to work from home. Be mindful that this can be isolating and encourage depression. Discuss openly and honestly.
• For a lot of people, the expectation upon returning to work is that everything will be as it was before. Unfortunately for most it isn’t. Relationships and personalities can change so understanding and patience is key.
• Most cancer patients returning to work should follow a graduated return to work plan, with consideration for ongoing support periodically.
• Many employees who return on a graduated return to work basis are referred to rehab consultants. Consultants often get feedback from employees that support was given by their company/team whilst on the graded return but upon returning to 100% capacity, the work piled on and “some forgot to ask me how I was coping”. Returning to work after cancer is a long journey, and while the employee might feel well, many patients suffer from post-traumatic stress and this can impact their ability to work for a long time.
• With great advancements in treatment, there are many people whose cancer treatment is ongoing but who can live a near-normal life. In this situation, most employees often want to come back to work to help them feel ‘normal’.
• Some employees with a chronic cancer diagnosis come back to the rehabilitation team with “Only able to work if 100% fit”. With the cancer diagnosis aside, very few individuals fall into the 100% fit category. Therefore, this is a bit of a myth that we need to dispel, as for many who feel able, work is normal and really helps them.