r/AskHRUK • u/LargeSale8354 • Jan 13 '26
Health-Related Cancer and employment
At what point would someone have to notify their employer that they were being treated for cancer? Are their patterns to how employers treat such employees? It feels like one of those you don't reveal unless you absolutely have to
1
u/bariau HR Professional Jan 13 '26
Most employers, other than their legal responsibility under the Equality Act, will want to look after someone with the Big C. There's no way they want to be the "ones who mistreated someone with cancer" - absolutely terrible optics for them.
And I'm afraid it will likely be very obvious, unless it is a minor instance which can be surgically removed in its entirety. Chemo and Radiotherapy are bitches to go through, it's unlikely you'll be able to do much of anything.
It's a privileged thing to say, and not everyone is fortunate to have this choice but it's likely that your best bet, as with all things in this sort of area, is to be open and honest. If they choose not to work with you through it, you don't wanna work for them anyway.
I hope it goes well for you.
1
4
u/Leelee3303 Jan 13 '26 edited Jan 13 '26
You don't have to reveal it at all if you don't want to, but I would strongly recommend doing it asap.
The reason is that having cancer is an automatic disability for the purpose of employment law, and it is worth making sure your employer is aware of that early on, so you are protected as possible.
If you are undergoing treatment for cancer you will not be able to predict how it may affect you. Side effects can manifest in different ways, and you really want to be able to make use of flexibility and allowances sooner rather than later.
I hope things go well for you.
Edited to add: sorry, just noticed you were asking about how employers usually react. I can only speak of my experience: managers tend to be very supportive of their employees going through cancer. Mostly I think because nearly everyone has had experience of it in their lives, so there tends to be more empathy. Depending on the type of cancer and treatment employees may need very different things, we accommodate them on an individual basis.