back to work
Going back to work after a break of a few weeks or months can be difficult. You might be going back to your old job or maybe going to a new one altogether. Either way, the Disability Employment Advisors at your local Jobcentre plus can advise you if you’re having problems.
If you’re going back to work after long-term sick leave, it might help to have a ‘phased return’ so that you can increase your hours gradually over a period of time. For some people, going back to work can be a sign that the cancer is behind them and things are getting back to normal again.
meeting with your employers
When you’re getting ready to go back to work, it’s important to have a meeting with your boss, Human Resources department or occupational health staff and come up with a ‘return to work’ plan that you all keep a copy of. If you’re still coping with some of the effects of cancer treatment, this is a good time to talk about any changes that need to be made to the workplace or to your job description before you start.
- you might find it easier to transfer to a different post if you aren’t able to do your previous job anymore
- you could talk about reducing your work hours for a while
- you might need some training if there have been any changes while you have been away.
time off for family or carers
If you are a partner, parent, family member or guardian of someone having cancer treatment and you need to take time off work to look after them, you could be entitled to compassionate leave, dependency leave or unpaid leave.
A parent of a child with cancer might be entitled to up to 18 weeks unpaid parental leave to look after them. Some employers allow parents to take paid leave, and some allow longer than the official entitlement. Guidance leaflets on parental leave can be found at http://www.berr.gov.uk/employment/workandfamilies/parental-leave/index.html
If you want to take several weeks or months off work to look after someone who is having treatment for cancer and they are not your child, you’re not automatically entitled to any special leave. You would have to ask your employer to give you the time off. You might have to take this as compassionate or unpaid leave.
If the person you’re caring for unexpectedly gets worse, you’re usually allowed to take some time off but this would normally only be a few days. This type of time off is usually unpaid but some employers have policies which allow you to take paid leave. Guidance leaflets can be found at www.berr.gov.uk
If you’re experiencing stress because of caring for someone who is seriously ill, you may find it helpful to talk to your GP. In some cases your GP may be able to issue a sickness certificate for your employer which might allow you to have occupational sick pay/SSP for a period of time.
There’s a new legal entitlement under the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act for anyone who is providing ‘substantial’ care, to have help in keeping their job. You can contact your local Carers Centre or local authority Social Services Department for help and advice. You can find their contact details in the telephone directory.
