Two in three cancer sufferers do not think their employer showed enough support or interest during their cancer journey.
This is according to research undertaken by OnePoll among 500 UK adults for specialist cancer support services provider Reframe Cancer’s The Employee Experience report: Living and working with cancer report.
The report found 66% of employees did not believe that their employer was quick to respond and offer support when informed about their cancer diagnosis, and 67% also said they did not agree that their employer showed concern and interest throughout their cancer journey.
The report also found more than seven in 10 (71%) did not believe that their employer was fully prepared to support an employee battling cancer.
While a third (33%) of employees believed work is a ‘good distraction’ for them during their cancer battle, 67% do not agree this is the case.
Almost a quarter of employees with cancer (22%) said they felt stressed while working with cancer.
Employees in supervisory and middle management roles feel the highest levels of stress (25%) compared to just 12% of those holding more junior, entry level positions.
Around 70% of employees with cancer said the emotional impact of cancer made it difficult to keep working, with the same percentage claiming the physical symptoms such as fatigue and nausea made it a challenge. And 69% said the cognitive symptoms of cancer, such as brain fog, hinder their ability to work.
While the Equality Act 2010 provides employees with legal protection if they feel they are being treated unfairly because of their illness, the research showed 73% of employees with cancer said that workplace adjustments were not made upon their return to work.
This was most evident for women with 54% saying this was the case.
Understanding of the Act among employees further raised confusion with one in five (20%) saying they were not aware and did not understand their rights.
Those who were not aware of the Act stated that work was an added stress during their cancer journey (28%), and were less likely to feel supported and more likely to feel that their employer could do more.
Around 11% of employees said that they plan to leave their employer because of lack of support during their cancer journey.
Where colleagues also avoided discussing their cancer with them (16%), 17% want to move jobs because of the lack of support at work.
In addition, 69% of employees said they did not believe they received advice and support from HR throughout their cancer journey.
The findings also show that overall, 72% said they are a changed person following their cancer experience, while 57% say they are now a changed employee.
Six in 10 (59%) said they have a better appreciation of life having experienced working with cancer.
Mark Stephenson, CEO at Reframe Cancer, said: “There’s a positive shift with employers recognising the importance of cancer support, both legally and ethically.
“However, the gap between awareness and action remains concerning.
“Our research shows 70% of employees feel their employers wouldn’t fully support them, and 73% say workplace adjustments aren’t made.
“Considering most adjustments are minor, this suggests a knowledge gap rather than a lack of care.
“Simple changes can make all the difference to someone returning to work which can really drive workplace advocacy.”
Roy McLoughlin, director at Cavendish Ware, added: “When employees are dealing with a critical illness such as cancer, they want to know more than ever that their employer is fully behind them and offering the best support possible, be it emotional and practical.
“With the right workplace policies in place, employers can help make an employee’s cancer journey a little less stressful and more comfortable.
“Hopefully more employers will take this on board and relook at their policies if needed.”