Advice on employment decision

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Hi all, Im hoping to get some advice from the group based on people's experience.

I was diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma in early April 2025. So far I have completed my first 4 rounds of FLOT chemo and had my total gastrectomy on 24 July 2025. I am due to start the last four rounds FLOT chemo in about 2 weeks.

Just before my diagnosis I applied and was successful in being offered a new job, which is a promotion from my current position. Both roles are within local government.

My potential new employer has been really good and understanding since I told them about my diagnosis and treatment plan. They agreed to keep the offer open and review at each stage of my treatment to see whether me taking the job was still possible for me and reasonable to expect the employer to make needed adjustments. Main adjustment being delayed start date and phased start.

I was so happy about the new job as my current workplace has been highly stressful with good staff leaving due to toxic working environment for years.

I am angry that my health is likely to mean that I wont be able to start the new job for a least another 3 months and even if I started I wont be able to perform to the level I know I used to be capable of.

Im starting to think that staying at my current job, whilst disappointing and upsetting, might be my best option as I have 9 years working for this employer with a good reputation as being highly competent and professional.

I am faced with the choice of accepting my new dream job at the risk of putting to much pressure on myself whilst completing then recovering from treatment or letting my dream job go to allow me to have a less stresful phased return back to my current workplace where colleagues have known me for 9 years before my cancer diagnosis.

My therapist and treatment team have all indicated that a new job is likely to be too much, which I'm unfortunately starting to believe is right.

I was hoping to reach out to this community to hear people's opinion on this that could be based on their own experience of returning to work after or during treatment for stomach cancer.

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated x

Sop 26 days ago

Hi, my understanding is that you are covered by disability as once having cancer you have a disability for life, your promotional post has been offered and accepted by you this should be classed as a verbal contract. I understand that you want to start your new job, there should be a policy in place to support you and some local authorities have something called a disability passport which gives flexible work patterns, if your new job is what you want then speak to your new manager / union rep about what they can do to support you into the role. Good luck

Jacquiw10 26 days ago

I completely understand your dilemma! Your employer is required to make reasonable adjustments and as it’s local government that should be easier than in the private sector. I think it’s very much your personal choice, as you may well find staying in your current post, stressful and frustrating! Starting any new job is daunting so I understand that on top of your treatment it will feel like too much!
I didn’t have chemo after surgery and returned to work on a phased return after six weeks! I had a very senior position so high level of stress but I wanted my life back!

My advice would be don’t make any decisions just now. Get chemo over with and then a month or so after that make a decision! Your employer will not be able to withdraw the offer without risking a disability discrimination claim so kick the can down the road until you are through treatment!

Jac

Life is what happens when you are making other plans!

Blueeyes24 26 days ago in reply to Jacquiw10

Thank you for this advice Jac. It's really helpful. Ill arrange to speak with the new hiring manager and ask if my decision can be delayed further until.after my treatment as you suggest.

Blueeyes24 26 days ago in reply to Sop

Thank you SOP. I will ask the hiring manager what reasonable adjustments could be made if I went ahead after treatment.

I always feel bad for putting people out but I should try and put myself first for once.

Sop 26 days ago in reply to Blueeyes24

You have to put yourself first, they will wait as Jac said they won’t want a discrimination case, look after yourself x

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