Working on it If staying on at work while you're going through treatment is something you need to do – or want to do – you can. It will go best if both you and your boss can take a flexible approach.
Your work choices Many cancers can be treated successfully, but both the cancer and the side effects of treatment may make it hard for you to work for a while. Some people work all the way through treatment. Others reduce their work hours, take extended leave or quit work altogether. Your decision will be influenced by what kind of cancer you have and what treatment you need, as well as your financial position.
Telling your boss You’re under no legal obligation to tell your employer you have cancer, but being open about it could make life easier. You can explain that you may need some flexibility so you can go to appointments and perhaps time off when you’re feeling particularly unwell or tired.
That kind of flexibility is usually okay in an office, but it can be harder in other workplaces. For example, if your job involves manual labour, you may not have the physical strength to do your normal work. Many employers will see an advantage in keeping you on in some sort of capacity, so you can return to your old job in the future. Try to put in place something that’s beneficial for both of you.
Keeping healthy at work Some cancer treatments make you vulnerable to infection and it’s important you don’t put yourself at risk. If people at work have coughs and colds, take time off or arrange to work from home. Alternatively, explain to your colleagues that you need to be particularly careful and ask them to consider not coming to work when they’re unwell.
Taking time off work Under the Fair Work Act, all full-time and part-time workers are entitled to a minimum of 10 days of personal leave or the part-time equivalent, paid at their base rate of pay. When you’re taking leave, you need to inform your employer as soon as possible. They can ask you to provide evidence such as a medical certificate; if you don’t, your employer can refuse your leave.
If you need to be away for longer than 10 days, talk to your boss about the possibility of unpaid leave. Employees who are ill can be away from work for a ‘reasonable’ period of up to three months, during which time they may not be dismissed by their employer.
It’s illegal for an employer to reduce your hours, adversely affect your working conditions or sack you on the basis of your cancer or treatment. If you believe you have been disadvantaged, call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for advice.
What if work caused your cancer Workplaces where you handle noxious chemicals, are exposed to asbestos or tobacco smoke, or spend a lot of time outdoors can put you at risk of cancer. If you believe your workplace caused your cancer, get in touch with the work safety authority in your state or territory (for contacts, see “More help” below) as you may be able to claim worker’s compensation. Time limits may apply, so take action as soon as possible.
Expert's insight: Annabel Pollard Working as a clinical psychologist at Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Annabel Pollard has extensive experience in dealing with people juggling work and health commitments after a cancer diagnosis.
“Many people don’t give up work when confronted with cancer. In fact, we speak to people who are proud to say they worked all the way through their treatment. Even though they felt exhausted at times, it was important to them that they hadn’t relinquished control of every aspect of their life. Work was familiar and made them feel normal.
“Naturally, people get anxious about what to tell their employer. Some people are very open about it, while others worry it will adversely affect their job or career prospects. Jobs vary, but a supportive employer is crucial.
“The kind of job you do is also important. If you’re having treatment in an area that affects your energy levels and you work in a very physical job, just the thought of working could make you anxious. Working in a very sedentary job could be a lot easier to manage. It also may depend on your health. It goes back to what cancer you have, what treatment you’ll be having, and the stage of your disease.
If you’re diagnosed with an advanced cancer, it may affect your physical functioning.
“If the side effects of treatment are making you sick, you might have to rethink the situation. Is work helping or hindering your recovery? The challenge is knowing when to say ‘I can’t do this’. It may take a while for you to recognise when that is, but never be afraid to listen to what your mind and body are telling you."
Expert's insight: Gill Batt Gill Batt, director of cancer information and support services at Cancer Council nsW, believes people with cancer can afford to be confident about asking their employers for support.
“Most employers will see the good sense in supporting someone through their treatment because, for most people, there will be a very good chance that they’ll be able to come back to work full-time or in the same capacity that they did before treatment. It saves all the costs of retraining, re-recruiting and all of those other things. From a purely financial point of view, it can be worthwhile for an employer to support that person all the way through.”
More help
Your legal rights If you believe you have been discriminated against at work because of your cancer, call the Fair Work Infoline and ask for advice. www.fairwork.gov.au 131394
Compensation claims If you believe your workplace caused your cancer, contact the WorkSafe or WorkCover authority in your state or territory:
KYLIE SALISBURY As a casual worker and a single mum, Kylie Salisbury felt that she had no option but to stay at work through her treatment for cancer. A supportive work environment has made all the difference.
Soon after a routine breast check, Kylie received a letter asking her to return for a second check. She was stunned when a 2cm cancerous lump was found in her breast.
A lumpectomy then a mastectomy followed. She had chemotherapy every second week for 16 weeks and is currently nearing the end of seven weeks of radiotherapy.
“The first reaction was that I didn’t have time to be sick. The second was panic. How was I going to pay the bills if i was sick for a long time? I’m a casual teacher and single mother. If I don’t work I don’t get paid.
“When I told the staff at school they were amazing. The principal even said she had funds at her discretion and if she suspected that I wasn’t coping but wasn’t saying anything, she’d intervene and sort it out.
“At school I discovered women who had also been through breast cancer and I didn’t feel as though I had to maintain a front at work, which meant I had the energy to maintain appearances at home for my son.
“I had regular work Wednesday to Fridays and my first chemo fell on a Friday, but I was well enough to be at work the next week. The school also let me swap my days to fit around the treatments.
“Now I’m doing radiotherapy five days a week at 8.15am and it can be a stretch getting to school on time, but on the occasions I’ve been late, other teachers have stepped in to cover until I arrive.
“I felt vulnerable wearing my wig at work, but it was much more glamorous than my usual grey bob. People were continuously telling me how great I looked. It was almost as if the cancer was a lesson that it was time to make a bit more of an effort!”