Why businesses should do more to support employees with cancer

In today’s world, businesses exist for more than profit alone. They can be integral parts of our communities and influence lives way beyond the boardroom.

However, one crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is the support for employees facing significant health challenges – especially those working with cancer. We believe businesses can do more, and should do more. It’s time for businesses to step up, show compassion, and enable a culture of understanding and support.

Working with cancer: the facts

• There were 18.1 million new cases of cancer worldwide in 2020
• 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime
• Half of those diagnosed with cancer are of working age
• 50% of employees consider it difficult (or are afraid) to reveal their cancer diagnosis to employers
• 92% of patients agree that the support they receive positively impacts their health
• Rates of depression and anxiety are higher in the cancer population than in the general population
• The World Health Organization states that 30–50% of cancers are currently preventable by avoiding key risk factors

The business case for better employee support

It goes without saying that supporting your employees through significant life events, such as cancer, is the right thing to do. But there are some other more business-specific reasons too.

Improved employee culture

By encouraging a culture of understanding and support, employees will feel safer, more valued and genuinely cared for by their employer.

Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism

Businesses that help employees manage their health effectively can reduce the likelihood of extended absences or reduced productivity due to ill health.

Retain talent

Employees are more likely to stay with businesses that are able to demonstrate a real commitment to their wellbeing.

Better employee engagement

By ensuring employees feel supported during challenging times, they are likely to be more engaged and motivated in their work.

An inclusive workplace environment

By supporting employees with cancer, it sends the message that employees of all backgrounds and health statuses are valued and respected.

Industry benchmark

Businesses that prioritise employee well-being are setting a benchmark for industry standards, encouraging other companies to follow suit, and ultimately creating better corporate environments for everyone. 

What can your business do?

In the corporate world, empathy has often taken a backseat to productivity. But in recent times, more businesses are prioritising the wellbeing of their workforce and stepping up to support employees beyond their paycheck.

Here are a few things that can be offered to help employees feel supported through their diagnosis and treatment.

Provide flexible work arrangements

It’s become clear in recent years that accessible flexible working can be a game-changer to help ease the burden on employees. By allowing employees undergoing treatment to adjust their work patterns or work remotely, employers can provide much needed security and flexibility to juggle work and health more easily.

Ensure you have a cancer policy

Helping employees understand what support they can expect and how their pay will be impacted will reassure them during an emotional time. You could also take the #WorkingWithCancer pledge as an external commitment of your support to employees with cancer.

Support employees through Employee Assistance Programmes

Undergoing cancer treatment is a unique experience for each and every person. By offering a range of programmes, such as counselling, access to resource networks and talking services, you can help employees feel cared for on their own journey.

Transparent communication and employee education

Open and honest communication is the foundation of a supportive workplace culture. Clear signposting to policy documents and transparent information about available benefits, resources and support, can help employees navigate an incredibly emotional time. Employee education and engagement can further raise awareness and help create a culture of empathy amongst colleagues.

Build a community of care

Beyond policies and programmes, it’s vital for businesses to foster a community of care. Often employee communities in large organisations can offer the opportunity to connect with others undergoing similar treatments or diagnoses.

This can be achieved through maintaining an open dialogue about cancer, organising support groups, or arranging group awareness activities. Demonstrating solidarity will help employees feel like they still belong whilst undergoing treatment.

Don’t forget mental health

Cancer patients can often feel a sense of abandonment and grief once access to their hospital team and treatment has ended. By focusing on mental health, you can help employees manage ongoing physical and psychological challenges on return to the workplace.

What role can communications play?

Communication teams have a key role in helping create a supportive and empathetic work environment for employees facing long-term illness. Here are some ways that comms teams can meaningfully support employees living and working with cancer.

Open and accessible resources

• Establish and communicate clear channels for employees to talk about their health and any related concerns. This could include regular check-ins or confidential hotlines.
• Develop a comprehensive and accessible guide that provides information about available benefits, policies and other relevant resources. This could also cover employee rights regarding privacy and disclosure, as well as advice for communicating with supervisors and colleagues.

Managers’ toolkits

• Ensure that managers are aware of options for flexible working and are equipped to help employees benefit from them.
• Equip managers and supervisors with resources and tools to support employees working with cancer. This could include showing what open and empathetic conversations look and sound like.

Wellbeing programmes and employee engagement

• Provide health and wellbeing education, encouraging employees to be aware of the symptoms of cancer, health risks and advice around prevention.
• Host workshops or “lunch and learn” forums to educate employees about cancer, its treatments and how to support colleagues who have been diagnosed.
• Organise wellness activities, support groups, or workshops that focus on mental health and wellbeing.
• Maintain an open dialogue about cancer all year round (beyond awareness days), to demonstrate a genuine commitment to employee wellness.
• Provide communications and training to educate colleagues and managers on how to communicate and interact with employees who have cancer. This includes understanding boundaries, respecting privacy, and how to offer support.

Enable employee advocacy

• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) can be valuable forums to help drive awareness and educate the workforce. Work closely with ERGs to understand what assets they require and what they need to feel supported.
• Seek feedback from employees who have faced cancer. Ask them about their experiences and any suggestions for improvement. You can then use this information to adapt and refine communications. 

It’s time to step up and support employees with cancer

Employers play a fundamental role in their employees’ lives, particularly those facing cancer. By being empathetic, offering flexibility and creating a culture of care and support, businesses can create a workplace culture that not only supports employees facing cancer but also demonstrates commitment to employee wellbeing. This, in turn, contributes to a more inclusive, caring, and productive work environment for all employees.

From awareness to prevention, to employee allyship and support, we help businesses educate their workforce and encourage employees to take care of their whole selves – both inside and outside of the workplace.

Join the conversation

Join us for an enlightening discussion as we ‘Tune In’ to the experiences of employees living with cancer.

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