Work and Cancer
Discussion
I'm after some guidance following my return work after treatment for cancer.
A little bit of background, I was diagnosed initially with one form of cancer in June 2017, I had surgery for this and returned to work 28 days post surgery, I worked up until the day of my surgery other than taking time off for scans and bloods.
During the 28 days off, I received the news that I had another form of cancer, which is much more aggressive is incurable and had spread to my lymph nodes, this required me to have chemotherapy, which commenced 5 weeks post surgery, I tried to remain in work during chemo, but it just wasn't physically possible, so I took a further 8 weeks off.
Upon my return to work in November 2017 I had an assessment by occupational health who recommend a specific chair at specific desk and reduced hours.
Roll on to now, I'm still waiting on the chair, my job role has been varied which requires me to now train/coach other people at their desk, I've been subjected to various comments, from "ewww why have you got that on your head, you should wear a wig" "what makes you think you're so special you need a specific desk" "well if you don't do the new tasks you won't have a job then will you"
Despite continuous pain and discomfort I would like to remain in work for now, my prognosis is not good, so there will come a time where work won't be possible.
I'm aware I'm protected under the equality act, but what does that really mean? For clarity I would like to continue working, but would like a chair that doesn't agrevate the pain, and I would like to work at one desk, so I don't have to move all my bits around. I fair better with tasks I'm familiar with, I suffer with bouts of memory loss and sometimes struggle with my words, but I feel I still make a good contribution, I'm reluctant to upset the apple cart, as I don't want to make life difficult for myself.
I have suggested to my line manager that I am prepared to change roles to one which may suit my limitations a little better, I have also had an assessment by my employers appointed Doctor who agrees, I need a specific chair and I should work from a specific desk which is set to my needs.
A little bit of background, I was diagnosed initially with one form of cancer in June 2017, I had surgery for this and returned to work 28 days post surgery, I worked up until the day of my surgery other than taking time off for scans and bloods.
During the 28 days off, I received the news that I had another form of cancer, which is much more aggressive is incurable and had spread to my lymph nodes, this required me to have chemotherapy, which commenced 5 weeks post surgery, I tried to remain in work during chemo, but it just wasn't physically possible, so I took a further 8 weeks off.
Upon my return to work in November 2017 I had an assessment by occupational health who recommend a specific chair at specific desk and reduced hours.
Roll on to now, I'm still waiting on the chair, my job role has been varied which requires me to now train/coach other people at their desk, I've been subjected to various comments, from "ewww why have you got that on your head, you should wear a wig" "what makes you think you're so special you need a specific desk" "well if you don't do the new tasks you won't have a job then will you"
Despite continuous pain and discomfort I would like to remain in work for now, my prognosis is not good, so there will come a time where work won't be possible.
I'm aware I'm protected under the equality act, but what does that really mean? For clarity I would like to continue working, but would like a chair that doesn't agrevate the pain, and I would like to work at one desk, so I don't have to move all my bits around. I fair better with tasks I'm familiar with, I suffer with bouts of memory loss and sometimes struggle with my words, but I feel I still make a good contribution, I'm reluctant to upset the apple cart, as I don't want to make life difficult for myself.
I have suggested to my line manager that I am prepared to change roles to one which may suit my limitations a little better, I have also had an assessment by my employers appointed Doctor who agrees, I need a specific chair and I should work from a specific desk which is set to my needs.
Edited by Tumbler on Thursday 22 March 18:59
Sorry to hear that.
Worth a chat with Macmillan/ look at their resources.
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-suppo...
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-suppo...
Worth a chat with Macmillan/ look at their resources.
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-suppo...
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-suppo...
Tumbler whatever else try to keep positive, it is surprising what a bit of positiveness can do (from a 2 times cancer sufferer(or whatever word you want to call it), who's wife is currently going through chemotherapy) As has been said Macmillan are a great resource. Speak to them I am sure they can help.
Out of interest, are your colleagues aware of your situation?
I only ask because a guy in our office was diagnosed last year, but didn't want it to become "public knowledge" throughout the whole company, so only a few of us knew. Work were really flexible with time off for appointments, extra breaks and reduced hours, but I did cringe when someone would come in the office and ask where "Dave" was, to then be told they had finished early as their hours had changed... "oh, slacking again I see". Meant light-heartedly and they weren't to know the full reason, but their attitude would obviously have been very different if they had known.
I only ask because a guy in our office was diagnosed last year, but didn't want it to become "public knowledge" throughout the whole company, so only a few of us knew. Work were really flexible with time off for appointments, extra breaks and reduced hours, but I did cringe when someone would come in the office and ask where "Dave" was, to then be told they had finished early as their hours had changed... "oh, slacking again I see". Meant light-heartedly and they weren't to know the full reason, but their attitude would obviously have been very different if they had known.
A few points..
1. You count as "disabled" in law (cancer is deemed a disability upon diagnosis)
2. As such, you are "protected" under the now Equality Act
3. That means your employer "is required" to make reasonable adjustments.
4. What is reasonable depends upon various matters such as the size of your employer...
5. From what you say above you need your role adjusted to enable you to continue safely
The question is what do you want to do about it? What action do you wish to take? A comment such as "if you don't do this you can find another job" and similar, are issues. You may suddenly find a "redundancy" situation arises...
1. You count as "disabled" in law (cancer is deemed a disability upon diagnosis)
2. As such, you are "protected" under the now Equality Act
3. That means your employer "is required" to make reasonable adjustments.
4. What is reasonable depends upon various matters such as the size of your employer...
5. From what you say above you need your role adjusted to enable you to continue safely
The question is what do you want to do about it? What action do you wish to take? A comment such as "if you don't do this you can find another job" and similar, are issues. You may suddenly find a "redundancy" situation arises...
You may not think it will come to it (and it probably won't), but you should be making a record of dates and times and issues like this. Little effort but it could simplify things if they become really objectionable later on and you have a claim to make.
Good luck with everything. I 'retired' at Christmas 2016 and was diagnosed with bowel cancer mid 2017. Had surgery and temporary stoma (now removed) but fortunately haven't needed chemo (yet).
I can't imagine having to have worked through it. I couldn't have even managed the commute.
Good luck with everything. I 'retired' at Christmas 2016 and was diagnosed with bowel cancer mid 2017. Had surgery and temporary stoma (now removed) but fortunately haven't needed chemo (yet).
I can't imagine having to have worked through it. I couldn't have even managed the commute.
I'm very active with Macmillan, all the advice is to speak to my line manager, which I have done repeatedly but nothing changes.
Occupational health are aware of my situation but nothing changes.
Yes my colleagues are aware of my diagnosis, hard to disguise my bald head, many are not aware of the poor prognosis, those that are dismiss it and tell me I'm being silly and that being positive, drinking carrot juice etc will cure me.
I'm aware that we probably over headcount, I'm sure that if it comes to it I would be earmarked for redundancy.
I work for a high street bank, so stupidly I thought they would have procedures in place, I even had all my salary taken away one month whilst I was off, no access to my payslip, they didn't even pay me statutory sick pay, but they took the repayment to my season ticket loan.
What would I like to happen, my job role to be adapted to admin tasks, which is what the role was prior to chemo. I would like not to be berated or laughed at when I struggle to find the right word or use one in the wrong context, I'd like them to commit to a training program for managers, so no one else who is trying to manage cancer and work is subjected to this. To be clear I am working 28 hours per week with an hours commute each way, yes it's tough but I think with the right support managable. I ensure all my medical appointments are on my day off so I'm not taking any further time off, they are not paying me sick pay for the day off, I have income protection which covers 60% of my pay for those 7 hours.
Occupational health are aware of my situation but nothing changes.
Yes my colleagues are aware of my diagnosis, hard to disguise my bald head, many are not aware of the poor prognosis, those that are dismiss it and tell me I'm being silly and that being positive, drinking carrot juice etc will cure me.
I'm aware that we probably over headcount, I'm sure that if it comes to it I would be earmarked for redundancy.
I work for a high street bank, so stupidly I thought they would have procedures in place, I even had all my salary taken away one month whilst I was off, no access to my payslip, they didn't even pay me statutory sick pay, but they took the repayment to my season ticket loan.
What would I like to happen, my job role to be adapted to admin tasks, which is what the role was prior to chemo. I would like not to be berated or laughed at when I struggle to find the right word or use one in the wrong context, I'd like them to commit to a training program for managers, so no one else who is trying to manage cancer and work is subjected to this. To be clear I am working 28 hours per week with an hours commute each way, yes it's tough but I think with the right support managable. I ensure all my medical appointments are on my day off so I'm not taking any further time off, they are not paying me sick pay for the day off, I have income protection which covers 60% of my pay for those 7 hours.
I'm in a similar situation Tumbler, although I've not worked since I was diagnosed mid-2017. I'm currently going through chemo and on my 14th cycle but I'm probably on the edge of being sacked by my employer as they're not prepared to keep my job open any longer.
I can see a light at the end of the cancer tunnel but there won't be a job waiting for me when I emerge.
I can see a light at the end of the cancer tunnel but there won't be a job waiting for me when I emerge.
Edited by mp3manager on Friday 23 March 14:31
ReverendCounter said:
Tumbler, do you really want to spend time dealing with this trivial s
t when you could be doing something far more enjoyable with people you love?
GTFO before it's too late. You could hand your notice in today and make some plans. DON'T WASTE ANOTHER MINUTE.
I hear this a lot, I'm aware I have a shortened time horizon currently, but I'm also aware that cancer therapies change, so my current prognosis of two years may change.t when you could be doing something far more enjoyable with people you love?GTFO before it's too late. You could hand your notice in today and make some plans. DON'T WASTE ANOTHER MINUTE.
If I hand my notice in I give up my death in service benefit, my healthcare package and my pension, plus my income. I have some share options which I'm not overly bothered by.
So then comes the other side of not working, both my daughters work in education and are at the beginning of their careers, so I am not going to have them sacrifice their opportunities, we make the most of our weekends and annual leave. I know I'm unlikely to see them marry or have children, so leaving them a financial legacy is important, leaving them with fabulous memories is also important, currently I'm restricted in what I can do, travelling is difficult, no flying, travel insurance no cover for the cancer.
Yes I have savings but it's not an unlimited pot, so whilst blowing the lot is tempting, it needs to serve me and my family well when I really can't work.
There are many things that currently I can't do, it's frustrating, I'm furiously independent, there are times when I can't dress/undress myself, I no longer walk 4-10 miles a day, I can't swim, i can't cycle, I can't drive, I suspect I won't be able to ski at Easter, but I'd rather try and fail rather than not try at all, but I can work, my brain stutters, but in the right environment I still feel useful.
I like to work, pre cancer I have never really had time off sick, a week for chickenpox in my twenties and a week following throat surgery. Showing my girls that even with cancer life goes on is also a powerful legacy.
No I don't want to be battling, I want to turn up to a job that I can do for three to four days a week and not have people tell me I don't 'deserve' special treatment, I don't want special treatment, just a reasonable adjustment to my working day, so a chair that supports my pelvis and doesn't put strain on my shoulders, a desk for the whole day so I don't have to move my footrest and document holder.
Tumbler said:
If I hand my notice in I give up my death in service benefit,
This is a key thing that most people overlook. I'm fortunate enough to be in a position where my family will be well sorted financially regardless of what happens, but if I were ever in your position, I would do whatever I could to ensure I died in service, just to maximise to the full my estate for my family. I'd get a bigger kick out of that than I would pursuing some kind of bucket list. Sorry to hear that Tumbler. You sound very determined and your requests are reasonable. If your manager or occupational health are little help, how about your manager's manager, or the HR Director.
In any company some of us are better at dealing with more unusual situations than others. Keep going until you find the right person.
In any company some of us are better at dealing with more unusual situations than others. Keep going until you find the right person.
Apologies for both my knee jerk reaction and making you feel like you had to explain yourself.
It's just that I've been close to a very similar situation in the past - at least, it seemed that way until you shared some specifics.
I hope that you get sorted with these basics. Whoever's running your place needs a very hard kick up the backside IMO, and I hope you get to wear boots when you do it (and take a run up!)
It's just that I've been close to a very similar situation in the past - at least, it seemed that way until you shared some specifics.
I hope that you get sorted with these basics. Whoever's running your place needs a very hard kick up the backside IMO, and I hope you get to wear boots when you do it (and take a run up!)
AndStilliRise said:
Sobering reading, wishing you the best.
If it was me, I would be getting a load of loans in my own name (without telling them the health bits) and saving that away. I certainly would not be waiting for a payout from work. Work is work, life is to be lived.
Actually just ignore me, you know what you are doing.If it was me, I would be getting a load of loans in my own name (without telling them the health bits) and saving that away. I certainly would not be waiting for a payout from work. Work is work, life is to be lived.
In all honesty your immediate manager may well be totally out of their own depth, confronted by a situation that is legally complex and emotionally fraught. I’d start with the presumption that they are well intentioned but lacking knowledge, authority and support.
Perhaps you can have an honest conversation with them and see that your situation is escalated in a manner that doesnt look like a failure on their part. If you can take this out of the equation for them, you might find that they become an ally and that more senior decision makers are brought into the matter.
Perhaps you can have an honest conversation with them and see that your situation is escalated in a manner that doesnt look like a failure on their part. If you can take this out of the equation for them, you might find that they become an ally and that more senior decision makers are brought into the matter.
condor said:
How much is this chair/desk combo that you need? Could you buy it yourself ?
Then put in an expense claim .
The chair is £1500 which I'm happy to pay for, the desk is more complicated as I'm constantly being moved from desk to desk due to the nature of the new tasks that have been allocated to my role.Then put in an expense claim .
Ultimately I just want to stay in work for as long as possible, it is a welcome distraction from the vacuum that is cancer, and I work with some lovely people who get my dark sense of humour and make me laugh.
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