This is not a “ it’s not fair “ plea and I have raised this question before but I just wonder what is classed as normal support from your employer for people with Cml, in the 5 years since diagnosis I have been asked no more than 4/5 times “how are you “by management, have been unheard when asking for a reduction in hours, and for my quarterly check up which may require a shift off (night worker) “your asking to much”. My employer is not a small company, it has in excess of 100,000 employees. The situation isn’t unbearable but my goodness, I would not use the word supported when asked how have your employers helped since diagnosis. Sorry for whinging! Pete.
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Support from employer
Hi Pete -
My employer have been great. But not all are.
Where do you live? Here in the UK the Equality Act mandates that employers make “reasonable accommodations” for people with a disability, and a person undergoing treatment for cancer is caught by that definition.
David.
Hi Pete,
Assuming you are in UK The Equality Act 2010 states that you are disabled if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily duties ;automatically you meet the disability definition if you have cancer.Your employer has a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments for workers in this category.In practical terms this means the need for your employer to offer say flexible hours and or the possibility to work on occasions from home.
Most organisations will have in place as an adjunct to HR an Occupational Health specialist who would take up your case and negotiate with your line manager and others and to protect your legal position-employers who do not do this risk a negative outcome if an employment tribunal arose or if there was evidence of discrimination because of your disability the compensation might be unlimited-here the Equality and Human Rights Commission comes into play.
Back in 2006 my occupational nurse was brilliant and was instrumental in my HOD losing his job as there was evidence of bullying-I took the severence settlement and retired on my occupational pension but that is another story.
CML patients dont always look as if they have a disability but we know that due to drug side effects they may not be able to still perform as before in the workforce.
John
Thanks David and John for your replies, as always very helpful, both raising points about the sometimes negative support people with cancer conditions face, I’m in the Uk, but like you say John just because you look ok people assume everything is “rosey in the garden “ but I’ve always tried to point out to my employer you don’t take for 5 years cancer helping drugs (800 mgs daily) Nilotinib for the fun of it. I probably need to be more demanding for change, and point out legislation that as been passed to get a better lifestyle/work routine. Again many thanks David and John.