help and support
Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), your employer can’t discriminate against you because of your illness or disability. If you have cancer, a disability caused by cancer or a disability from before you had cancer, it’s likely that you’ll be covered under the Disability Discrimination Act. The DDA covers you from when you apply for the job and throughout your employment. The DDA doesn’t cover you if you’re in the armed forces. If you are in the armed forces get advice on your rights from your boss.
If you were treated for cancer in the past and want to know if you are still covered by the DDA, you can get more information from connexions-direct.com.
The DDA requires your boss to give you help and support to make it easier for you to do your job. This includes making what are called ‘reasonable adjustments’ to your workplace and working practices to make sure that you’re not at a disadvantage compared to other people. Your boss can get financial help to provide these through the Access to Work Scheme. Some examples of reasonable adjustments include:
- letting you take time off to go to medical appointments
- making your working hours more flexible
- allowing extra breaks to help you cope with tiredness
- allowing you to do lighter duties for a while
- making sure there is suitable access for you if you use a wheelchair or crutches
- providing appropriate software like voice-activated software if you can’t type
- changing a job interview date or time so as not to clash with your medical appointment
- help with the cost of travel to work, for people who are unable to use public transport
