Work

Hello Bassmaster .

It sounds as if you have coped well with some of the aspects of prostate cancer and are asking for recognition by your employers that cancer can hit you mentally as well as physically and make suitable adjustments to accommodate this. Macmillan have an information sheet on this as a starter.

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

As a starter can I suggest you ring them on 

0808 808 00 00

to see if they have any advisers on this or more specific knowledge on who to contact if your request for reasonable adjustment is declined.

Macmillan also can offer support in several forms if you want and, of course, we are here as a group to try and help you on the journey if you just want to vent or if you have any specific concerns. I am sure that Brian Millibob will be able to make some other suggestions in his role as Community Champion.

Another suggestion could be to contact Citizens Advice (and maybe mstev2 can help with directions to their support) or Maggie's if you have one in your area.

Good morning bassmaster

its a very difficult time going through any type of cancer and then to be struggling mentally too is just another kick.

i was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer Christmas gone and have only recently finished my chemo, I have worked for myself for 36 years as a tradesman and not sure I can go back to it physically.

im not sure where in the country you are but I was given a cancer care coordinator and I do know she has been instrumental in helping other people with making adjustments in the workplace and making sure patients have what the need for work.

wishing you all the best Jamie

Good Morning Bassmaster 

I see you have had some great information as ever from Alwayshope and I am so sorry to read of your present situation. Here are a few ideas from me:

* In the "Ask an Expert" we have "Ask a work support advisor" - so here's a link- Ask a Work Support Adviser just post your questions and you will receive some professional answers. Please give it a couple of days for them to reply.

* To help with your mental health we offer free counselling from a BUPA counsellor and again, here's the link to take you there - https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/emotional-help/bupa-counselling-and-emotional-well-being-support

* Would a personal "Buddy" help. We can allocate you a Buddy to chat to once a week for up to 12 weeks. It's not about cancer, it can be, but about life in general and any other issues you have. Again, here's the link -https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/emotional-help/macmillan-buddies

I do hope the above helps and you can get the issue resolved. If I can do anything else for you please don't hesitate to get back to me.

Best wishes - Brian.

Good Morning Jamie (Prosleg)

Thank you for your post and continued support - I hope your Chemotherapy wasn't too bad and it's done the business.

I too am Self Employed and although it's not physical (I am an accountant) I have not been offered any support apart from my initial interview with Macmillan and at that point I was fine. (I still am in all honesty) You raise a great point about work support and I will take some time to find out for myself about a "Cancer Care Coordinator". 

Work support is something that needs looking at as soon as you receive a cancer diagnosis.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Basssmaster ,

I'm sorry that you are in this position. 

Couple of things that might help: 

First ACAS write all the best practices in this area, and there information can be found on this web page: 

https://www.acas.org.uk/reasonable-adjustments

I would especially look at the definition of "What is reasonable" about half way down, because it describes the areas where an employer might argue the case. 

ACAS have a helpline - 0300 123 1100 - that you can call for advice.

You can also call Citizens Advice on 0800 144 8848 (England) and received some initial advice. If you need more support than information, they can put you in contact with your local office. You can find full contact details here:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/

The advice you have already receive from Alwayshope  and Millbob  is likely to be better because it is more focussed on PC.

I know from experience how your mental health suffers between diagnosis, test etc and strongly suggest you talk to Maggie's, or any local to you support groups.

Finally, if you decide to tackle your employer head on about this, do make sure that you talk it through with one of the advice agencies first. You will need to be very clear and specific about the result you want. You will also need to have thought about it from your employer's point of view, because then you will be able to defeat any arguments they might come up with.

One word of warning - Citizens Advice is a volunteer organisation, and so how quickly the phone is answered depends on how many volunteers there are available AND how difficult the enquiries they are handling are.

If you check for your nearest Citizens Advice office on the internet, you may find that they have a drop in servic e you could use.

Keep us posted.

Thanks all for your replies and support spoke to my CNS today she said she will write a letter to my employer to explain my reasonable adjustments I have asked for and then see what they say fingers crossed fir a good outcome.... 

Sounds like a plan good look

Hi Bassmaster,

Sorry to hear about the problems you are experiencing at work, but can see you have already had some great replies from others.

From memory, what is considered a reasonable adjustment can vary from employer to employer, depending on the nature / size of the business.  For example, it's much easier for an employer who has hundreds (or even thousands) of employees to accommodate a request than an employer with only 20.  Even if they can't offer exactly what you are looking for, is there a possible compromise that would still allow you to see & talk with your colleague as necessary?  Are you a member of a union, if so then speak with one of their reps as they are there to support you.

Best Wishes

Brian