MORE than a third of cancer patients have suffered some form of discrimination when returning to work after treatment, either from colleagues or their employers.
That is one of the findings of a new report by Macmillan Cancer Support.
One in ten of patients who took part in the survey felt so harassed they were not able to stay in their job.
And one in eight of them said their employer failed to make reasonable changes to enable them to do their job.
Patients also report being denied time off for medical appointments, passed over for promotion or feeling abused by their employer or colleagues (for example by being given unfair workloads).
Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, says: “Employers are risking prosecution by flouting their legal responsibility to protect people living with cancer from unfair treatment and stigma at work.
“There needs to be far more understanding of cancer and how the effects of treatment may impact on people returning to work. Going back to work after treatment can be very isolating especially if someone has been off for a while and has lost confidence or contact with colleagues.
“As our population grows and ages, and the retirement age rises, cancer will become an increasingly common issue for employees and their managers. It is vital they are equipped to help people with cancer stay in work. It is not difficult and it is likely to be cheaper and easier than recruiting a replacement or defending a discrimination claim.”
