Cancer patients report greater workplace discrimination despite the law

Almost two in five patients (37 per cent) who go back to work after being treated for cancer say they experience some kind of discrimination from their employers or colleagues compared to 23 per cent in 2010, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.

A survey of 168 patients found that 9 per cent felt so harassed by their employers they felt they could not stay in their jobs.

More than one in eight thought their bosses had not made reasonable changes to enable them to carry on working.

And 8 per cent said they felt “abused” by their bosses or colleagues.

Patients also reported being denied time off for medical appointments, being passed over for promotions or having unfavourable appraisals linked to their cancer.

“Employers are risking prosecution by flouting their legal responsibility to protect people living with cancer from unfair treatment and stigma at work,” said Ciaran Devane, Macmillan’s chief executive. “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’s vital they are equipped to help people with cancer stay in work. “It isn’t difficult and it is likely to be cheaper and easier than recruiting a replacement or defending a discrimination claim.”

One 46-year-old man from London said: “When I told my employer that I’d been diagnosed with cancer and asked to have some time off for treatment, I was given the sack.”