Cancer and employment survey

The Institute for Employment Studies has published research on working with cancer.

Survey findings include:

• Only 57% of cancer patients returning to work knew they were legally disabled under the 2010 Equality Act.
• Over half said that their medical teams or occupational health professionals did not discuss their return to work, and only 22% of HR departments told patients about their right to ask for reasonable adjustments and a phased return to work.
• A third of respondents did not make a phased return to work and a quarter had to take annual leave to receive vital cancer treatment.
• While most respondents had received positive support from their colleagues and line managers, a significant minority experienced bullying, being shunned at work and redundancy.
• Those living with advanced or metastatic cancer reported receiving lower levels of support and access to workplace adjustments, suggesting that many employers find it more difficult to know how to support patients with complex cancers and those with a terminal diagnosis.

Read the report here.