Going Back To Work

Hi Twirly,

  I worked all through my chemo but at reduced hours - however I am lucky enough to work from home.  If I wasn't I don't think I could have done so.

  I finished chemo in October 2024 and went back to full time (37.5+ hours a week) from Jan 2025.  I still didn't need to commute and I also still got very tired.  I took until as recently as the last few months until I didn't need afternoon naps at the weekend (sometimes I still do).

 Can you speak to your HR team about this?  I think that unless people have been through the cancer experience themselves they cannot imagine how tiring it actually is.  Maybe they can put you in touch with occupation health or something similar that can help with a phased return to 8 hour shifts?

  Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

  Best wishes

CerysM.

Hi Twirly, I was off for a year, when I went back Occupational Health assessed me (the company outsourced to another company - I spoke to a Dr). The Occupational Health Dr then decided what work pattern I would manage and the 'staged' comeback.

I was nervous about whether my employee could demote me or fire me - I had a really useful call with Macmillian about my rights...

Macmillan Work Support Service: Call 0808 808 0000 to speak with expert advisers about work options, benefits, and your rights.

This is also quite helpful...

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/work-and-cancer/returning-to-work

All the best x

I'm just about to start this myself. I have a telephone call with 'My Health' this afternoon, an outsourced company for the company where I work.

I'm looking for a phased return etc.

My line manager has and is brilliant with my condition.

My company has a work from home where possible approach and have already said there is no rush for office days and have even said they can see no problems with this until post bag reversal.

I've requested a change in shift from 10 hours a day over four days to a five day shift, they've agreed this with a three month review.

I will see how things go with this, I'll let you now how things pad out.

Good luck with your work, not sure if they have a similar set up to mine where you can speak to someone about what you're going through and coming up with a compromise based on your diagnosis / treatment / recovery?

Regards

Martin