While it may be a rare event for your organisation, cancer often happens when we least expect. The good news is that, thanks to earlier detection and better treatments, more people are living longer after having cancer than ever before. At any one time, about one in every 50 people have been diagnosed with cancer or are learning to adjust to its effects. Many will be hoping, or planning, to return to work.
As a manager, you may be one of your employee's most important sources of support. You don't need to be a cancer expert, but an understanding of what cancer is, its treatment and side effects, and the issues that may emerge during an individual's recovery and return to work, will help you fulfil this important role.
You can download the full version or sections of the guide for your use, and as different sections may be more useful at different times, there is no right or wrong way to use the guide.
Working through cancer: a guide for managers
Download Working through cancer: a guide for managers, full version [PDF, 217kb]
Download Welsh version [PDF, 205kb]
Overview
Introduction and section summaries
Download Overview [PDF, 145kb]
Download Welsh version [PDF, 127kb]
Section 1: When your employee is affected by cancer
Provides facts and figures about cancer, what it is, its diagnosis and treatment. The section also tells you about some of the common side effects of cancer and its treatment.
Download Section 1 [PDF, 151kb]
Download Welsh version [PDF, 133kb]
Section 2: Talking about cancer
Talking to someone affected by cancer is not always easy. This section helps you start. It tells you how your employee may be feeling, and shows how listening may be the most important source of support you can provide. It also details the information managers need to know, and how to share the news with your employee's work colleagues and external clients.
Download Section 2 [PDF, 157kb]
Download Welsh version [PDF, 139kb]
Section 3: When your employee returns to work
Provides facts and figures about people returning to work and some of the problems they may face.
Download Section 3 [PDF, 151kb]
Download Welsh version [PDF, 134kb]
Section 4: Resignation, ill-health, retirement and bereavement
Not all cancers can be cured and some employees may find it too difficult to continue in their work. This section provides information and advice on the options available to employees and employers at this time. It also discusses the impact and practical implications should your employee die.
Download Section 4 [PDF, 143kb]
Download Welsh version [PDF, 125kb]
Section 5: Legislation
Employees diagnosed with cancer are regarded as 'disabled' under the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005. This section describes the main pieces of UK legislation covering the management and support of people affected by cancer.
Download Section 5 [PDF, 143kb]
Download Welsh version [PDF, 122kb]
Section 6: Support and information
Find out how to prepare and provide 'reasonable adjustments', as required under the Disability Discrimination Acts. Plus get advice and details of the organisations that can help you and your employee.
Download Section 6 [PDF, 168kb]
Download Welsh version [PDF, 152kb]
Working through cancer campaign
Find out more about Macmillan's campaign to champion fairer treatment of people affected by cancer in the workplace >>
Join in the discussion online about working through cancer in our Share discussion forums >>