Bit of a rant

Hi Rach_E,

I'm sorry to hear how badly you are being treated by your work place. I actually spoke to the Macmillan Cancer Support phone line when I had a problem and they got someone who dealt with support for work to call me back. It may be worth you giving them a ring and asking for their advice. I would not have thought as an employee that it was up to you to provide a replacement while you are having treatment.

Best Wishes to you and your Family.

Sylvia.

Hi Rach_E. So sorry to read your post. Cancer patients have rights so I would suggest you Ask a work support adviser (link attached). They might take a day or two to reply but they'll be able to help. Other wise speak to someone on the Macmillan support helpline number shown below.

Hugs, Barb xx

Hi Rach E,

We had similar issues when my husband had throat cancer 14 years ago. We had a particularly bad weekend, where he was coughing a lot, and obviously not right. He decided to go into work in the morning, then head for the hospital. His boss wanted him to stay the whole day, but he refused. At the hospital, they took one look at him and admitted him, wouldn't even let him home to collect a bag! 

The last straw was when he got a letter saying because he had been off work so long he had no holiday entitlement left !!! It was almost as if he had been ill with throat cancer on purpose!! It was then we counted up our pennies, and decided he could retire. He had great pleasure in telling them to stuff the job! 

I really felt at the time some of these bosses have no idea what is involved in cancer treatment!!!  xxxxx 

Thank you everyone for your replies.  I’m just annoyed as we have been friends since we were kids and this is how it is, I don’t hear from them unless it’s to do with work.  I feel guilty as it is putting Stacie through all this and it’s been made worse now she’s taking on my job as well as her own as I’m scared I will lose my job.  It’s like they think I have put a sick note in for the sake of it. X

Hello Rach_E, I am sorry to read about this.  I hope the day comes soon when you find another opportunity and can tell them to stuff their job.

Hi Rach_E, You have every right to rant and I am furious on your behalf!  It may be that your friends are ignorant of the employer responsibility to those with cancer.  But they don't seem to be treating you as an employee and I wonder if you have ever had a written contract or conditions of employment and do you get proper payslips?  Expecting you to find your own cover for the hours you work sounds as though they are treating you as casual labour.   Also, are you alone when you do the cleaning? Before I retired I helped run a (very) small company and on safety /security grounds we would never have allowed any employee to work alone in the workspace. Apart from that there would be insurance issues. I cannot conceive of anyone treating a person, whether staff or friend, like this.  I echo those who suggest contacting the Macmillan advisors about this and the Citizen's Advice people could also offer advice. 

You and Stacie are going through enough at the moment and I do hope you have some genuine friends to support you.

this is not good Rach … ️ Your employer may need to be reminded that your condition is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 and it certainly isn’t your role to sort cover! There seems to be Macmillan advisers that can help and you can get free advice from www.acas.org.uk 

xx