Working during Chemo - how do I plan/prepare?

Hi SweetiePie,

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Hello SweetiePie

Thank you for contacting us here at Macmillan.  My name is Linda and I am a Work Support Advisor on Macmillan’s National Support Line.  My team provides guidance on your rights at work when you are affected by cancer.  I am so sorry to read about your Cancer diagnosis  I am pleased that your new Employer is being supportive.  I’d like to provide you with some information which I hope will help you.  Calling into our Support Line is always an option if you prefer and details of our contact details and opening hours can be found here.

Employers have a duty to consider Reasonable Adjustments at work to support Employees affected by Cancer, it might be useful for me to provide some information about the legislation which underpins this.  In case you are not aware, the Equality Act 2010 or Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (if you live in Northern Ireland) defines cancer as a disability.  This means that anyone with a cancer diagnosis considered to be disabled under the Act and providing the employer is aware of the diagnosis, should not discriminated against because of it.  This protection is lifelong and does not depend on an active cancer diagnosis. 

I have attached a link our booklet Your Rights at Work which explains more about the Equality Act and how disabled employees are protected in the workplace. 

With regards to possibly working reduced hours as a Reasonable Adjustment, your Employer is only obliged to pay you for the hours that you work unless your employment contract or company policy states differently. You can ask if you could use some annual leave entitlement to top up your hours if this will be unpaid.

As you mention already, everyone is different. Some people can work during their treatment whilst other people are not able to do so. It may depend on side effects of treatment. I would advise that you do check what your company sick pay policy is, in the event that you are required to take time off work sick.

Whist on sick leave you also accrue annual leave which can be taken at a later stage to help boost your income should you require this. You can accrue a maximum of 20 days to be taken within 18 months of returning to work after sick leave.

As everyone responds to treatment differently, it would be advisable to initially see how you are coping during and after your chemotherapy sessions. If you then feel that you could perform  some or all your role whilst undergoing treatment, then this is something the employer should accommodate for you. It may be an idea to speak to your medical team about the possibility of working during your treatment as they can support with answering your questions too.

I can understand the anxiety you may experience if you are required to attend Zoom Meetings at work. It would be advisable to ask as a reasonable adjustment, to have your camera turned off if you are worried about colleagues seeing you whilst undergoing your treatment and the impact of this on your appearance.

If your income reduces due working less hours, then it may also be helpful to have a full Benefit Check with one of our Welfare Rights Advisers to ensure that you are not losing out on any potential Financial Support as a lone parent. They can be contacted on 0808 808 0000. The opening times are 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday to Friday and between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. To navigate the menus on the support line please press option 1 followed by option 2 and then option 2 again to get through to the team.

I do hope this has answered your concerns but please do not hesitate to get back in touch if you have any further questions.

Kind Regards

Linda

Work Support Advisor

Remember you can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or by email