Cancer patients ‘missing out’ on employment rights

1^st October 2010 - The charity MacmillanCancer Support says it’s uncovered evidence that means thousands of cancer patients are in danger of missing out on their employment rights.

It’s estimated that more than 700,000 people diagnosed with cancer are working; almost 90,000 people of working age will be diagnosed with cancer this year. The charity says a survey revealed that 53% of line managers in the UK are unaware that cancer is covered under the Disability Discrimination Act.

That law is superseded today by the Equality Act. Like its predecessor, the new legislation requires employers to make reasonable adjustments for workers who have a disability. This could include allocating some work to another employee, making adjustments to buildings and being flexible about working hours.

Ignorance

However, in the YouGov survey of almost 2,300 managers, 73% said they needed more information about how to deal with cancer in the workplace.

According to Macmillan Cancer Support, ignorance about cancer and the law has affected the working lives of thousands of people diagnosed with cancer. YouGov  polled 1,740 adults with cancer and found that just under half (47%) who were working when they were diagnosed said their boss did not discuss sick pay entitlement, flexible working conditions or workplace adjustments with them when they informed their employer they had cancer.

Extreme fatigue

Alan, a 59 year old man from Lancashire, encountered problems after being diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago. He told Macmillan Cancer Support: “When I returned to work after treatment no one even asked if I was capable of doing the same as before I’d cancer. It was just expected that I’d do the same hours.

“It all caught up with me and I started to suffer extreme fatigue and went off sick again. When I felt I was being threatened with losing my job if I couldn’t do a full week, I realised it was time to find out if I had any rights as I didn’t know, and neither did my employer.”

Skills and experience

Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, says in a statement: “There are many people with cancer who want to work. They have the skills and experience to benefit their employer and working is, of course, good for them too. It makes no sense to stop them from working when simple changes to their working hours or environment is all that’s needed.”

Devane adds: “As the country struggles to pay off its debts - is it not better to help people stay in work? Over 100,000 people of working age are diagnosed with cancer each year - employers can no longer afford to ignore this issue.”

Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, says in an emailed statement: "Coping with the effects of cancer at work can be a real challenge and the most common complaint from staff is employers not making the changes or help they need to be able to work during their illness or recovery.”

Books and advice

Barber says TUC Education has developed a workbook in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support “so that union reps can offer support and advice for those living with cancer, and can also inform colleagues and their employers of their rights”.

Details of Cancer in the Workplace - A Workbook for Union Representatives can be found on the ‘unionlearn’ website .

Macmillan has launched its Working through cancer campaign to highlight the issue of cancer patients’ rights and employers’ responsibilities. Further information is available on its website or by calling freephone 0808 808 00 00.