More than 40 per cent of employers do not provide any support or information to employees with cancer – even though the illness casts its shadow on the majority of workplaces.
The research was carried out by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Cancerbackup and the Working with Cancer group, a group of leading human resources professionals, all of whom were diagnosed with cancer, who on returning to work were shocked at the lack of support for staff affected by cancer and decided to campaign to raise awareness amongst employers.
Around 90,000 people of working age are diagnosed with cancer each year and many remain in work or return to work after treatment. As well as research, the report also includes guidance to help employers.
Key findings from the report include:
- Two thirds of employers say they do not provide any training for managers to support employees with cancer
- More than 40 per cent of employers do not provide any support or information to employees with cancer, and a further 36 per cent of respondents did not know if such information or support was provided
- 22 per cent of employers are not aware that the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) now classes cancer as a disability
- 73 per cent of employers do not have a formal policy in place for managing employees affected by cancer.
