Employee Vitality and Cancer Defense by The Cancer Coach

Did you know that anyone diagnosed with any form of cancer is legally classified as disabled under the Equality Act? Even for anyone who may be cancer-free after treatment, this categorisation remains for the rest of their life. This is to protect employees from discrimination at work and put the onus on employers to make reasonable adjustments in the workplace for those who need it. In light of it being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this is a helpful article from Sarah Jackman sharing an employment lawyer’s perspective. 👇   New research launched by Working With Cancer reveals that many HR managers are ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of cancer and long-term health issues in the workplace. Working With Cancer’s report which was produced in conjunction with the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) found that only 4% of organisations currently have a specific cancer policy, whereas only 45% of HR managers felt they needed one. The full report can be found on our website and calls for organisations to develop specific cancer policies, provide training for HR and line managers and review current employee benefits to better support employees with long-term health conditions. 👉 If this is something that your organisation would like support with, get in touch to learn more about ways that we can help. https://lnkd.in/en_xjkig #workingwithcancer #HR #Linemanagers

As #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth comes to a close we want to say thank you to our partners, QVC, Savoir Beauty and Yon-Ka Paris USA, who have been supporting CAC this month. Read more—and shop—here: https://lnkd.in/edGcFNYC #bethebossovercancer #BCAMonth #ShopForACause

Last night, Working With Cancer celebrated two very significant events, our 10th Anniversary and the launch of the 'Bevan Report into Improving Employer Support for Those Working With Cancer' at iNHouse Communications in Westminster, London. Working with Cancer founder, Barbara Wilson started the social enterprise after her experience of a breast cancer diagnosis. Over the past 10 years, she's remained passionate and dedicated to improving work and cancer services throughout the UK, Europe and beyond. Her expert team provides coaching, training and consultancy services to employers, employees, colleagues affected by cancer, carers and health professionals. Yesterday's event also provided the chance to remember Institute for Employment Studies and Working with Cancer Ambassador Stephen Bevan who sadly passed away from cancer earlier this year. Stephen was dedicated to improving health and wellbeing at work hence why the research report was named the Bevan Report. Thank you to Tony Wilson who worked as Director of IES with Stephen for many years and joined us to share some kind words in his memory. The event provided an opportunity to focus on the purpose of the Bevan report research and to highlight the findings, both good and bad. Thank you to Dr Zofia Bajorek for her involvement in the research and for managing the challenging task of conveying the most crucial elements of the findings with clarity, passion and sensitivity in a perfectly timed presentation. We were pleased to have Sir Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham and Minister of State for Social Security and Disability join us and share his thoughts and insights about having better support for those living and working with cancer. We would also like to thank the wonderful panel who took part in a very insightful discussion about working with cancer. Political Editor of The Sunday Times, Caroline Wheeler did a fantastic job of chairing the expert panel which included Kelly McCabe co-founder at Perci Health, Charlotte Frost, Co-Head of Culture, Talent and Inclusion, Schroders and our founder, Barbara Wilson. The discussion really highlighted where there are gaps in employer support and organisation’s policies and how some simple adjustments in the workplace could make a big difference to those impacted by cancer. If you’re a line manager or HR manager and haven’t already, please download and read the report via the link below to access the findings and recommendations and also to support the Working with Cancer Pledge. 👇 We’d like to thank all of the guests who came along last night as well as our supporters, team and ambassadors and of course, we’d like to say a big thank you to Perci Health and Schroders for sponsoring the Bevan Report research, it would not have been possible without their support, and to George Reed MIRP, MD of Oberon Solutions for sponsoring the event. Together we can make a difference. https://lnkd.in/eA22-GmV #Workingwithcancer

Thank you to the 130+ patients, survivors, caregivers, HR/healthcare professionals, managers, advocates, friends and family members who joined us last week for our 10th annual West Coast Conference on Work & Cancer. The day was full of robust conversations as we discussed making decisions, disclosure, privacy, communicating effectively, managing stress and more. Read a full recap on the CAC Blog: https://lnkd.in/eiZUuThM Thanks to our incredible sponsors for making this possible: Genentech, Pfizer, P&G Beauty, QVC, BrickHouse Security, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Allsup, Servier And thanks to our community partners: Cactus Cancer Society, Cancer Pathways, Cancer Support Community Greater San Gabriel Valley, I Had Cancer, Melanoma Research Foundation, Michelle's Place Cancer Resource Center, National LGBTQI+ Cancer Network, OncoLink, Sharsheret: The Jewish Breast & Ovarian Cancer Community, Stupid Cancer #bethebossovercancer #CACWestCoast

Club Sandwich Generation? https://lnkd.in/gzfr4y6h In today’s workplace, many of our employees are part of what is known as the “club sandwich generation”—individuals who are balancing the responsibilities of raising children while also caring for aging parents. This dual caregiving role can create significant emotional, physical, and financial stress, which ultimately impacts their wellbeing and productivity. Understanding the Club Sandwich Generation The sandwich generation often faces competing demands on their time and resources, as they navigate both eldercare and childcare. This balancing act can lead to burnout, decreased work-life balance, and an increased need for flexible work arrangements. For our organization, recognizing these challenges is crucial in order to provide the right support and retain valuable team members. Introducing the Employee Vitality and Cancer Defense by The Cancer Coach for Caregivers, which is designed to support employees who are part of the sandwich generation. This program offers: • Personalized Wellness Coaching: One-on-one support to help caregivers manage stress and improve their own health and wellbeing. • Practical Tools for Caregiving: Guidance on navigating healthcare systems, organizing care plans, and accessing community resources. • Mindfulness and Self-Care Strategies: Techniques for building resilience, managing emotional exhaustion, and enhancing life quality. Supporting the club sandwich generation is not just an employee benefit—it’s a strategic investment in our workforce’s wellbeing and productivity. Let’s work together to create a more supportive environment where every team member can thrive, both personally and professionally. Please reach out if you have questions or would like more information about implementing support measures for our sandwich generation employees or the Tree of Life Vitality Programme. #clubsandwichgeneration #sandwichgeneration #employeewellbeing #careforcaregivers #caregivers

New research launched today by Working With Cancer reveals that many HR managers are ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of cancer and long-term health issues in the workplace. Working With Cancer’s report was produced in conjunction with the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) and found that 78% of those surveyed said their line managers had not received training on how to support employees living with cancer. Some other key findings from the survey findings are: 🔹 48% of respondents expressed concern about line managers saying the wrong thing and 31% lacked confidence in the ability of their line managers to have difficult conversations. 🔹 96% of respondents reported that their companies do not have cancer-specific policies and only 18% reported collecting data on the number of employees with a cancer diagnosis. 🔹 Only half (54%) of respondents knew about the Access to Work scheme and a quarter (25%) reported a lack of understanding of disability legislation. Barbara Wilson, founder of Working With Cancer, said: “In 2018, in the UK, there were an estimated 890,000 working-age individuals living with cancer; that number is likely to be one million now. In light of this, it is unacceptable that businesses are not doing more to better prepare their employees. Putting in place clear policies and practices for those diagnosed with cancer will provide essential clarity and significantly ease their transition back to work.” Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disabilities and MP for East Ham added “We must have the right conversations and make sure people living with cancer are aware of the support available to them - both from the Government, for example, potentially through benefits such as Personal Independence Payment, and from their workplaces. It is equally vital that workplaces know how best to support people living with cancer. We will continue to meet and listen to people living with cancer, to understand their needs better and make sure they get the help they need.” Dr Zofia Bajorek, Senior Research Fellow at IES who led the research, said: “Although the research identified pockets of good practice, it also highlighted clear gaps in management capability and employee support. Well-managed work can have therapeutic benefits for employees affected by cancer, and it is crucial that organisations implement best practice to ensure employees can return to work environments in which they are able to thrive.” Although many organisations are demonstrating areas of good practice, too many still do not take into account the specific needs of the increasing number of employees working with cancer. You can find more details on our website or access the full report for Working With Cancer’s “Bevan Report on Improving Employer Support for Those Working With Cancer” in conjunction with the Institute for Employment Studies using the QR code below. 👇 https://lnkd.in/dnHh_Va #Workingwithcancer

The Working with Cancer Pledge aims to abolish the stigma and insecurity that exist for all people working with cancer. But we need your help! If your company hasn’t taken the pledge yet, watch this quick video for 3 easy steps on how you can become an advocate.👀 Tag us when you’re ready to join the WWC movement! Check out our conversation guide for more tips: https://lnkd.in/ehg2sNrT

Very sad news to hear about Sir Chris Hoy’s update about his cancer diagnosis over the weekend. His openness about the challenging path that lies ahead for him over the next few years highlights the reality that sadly a cancer diagnosis can impact anyone. At 48, as well as being an Olympic athlete, Chris is a husband and a parent to two young children, hearing that your cancer is terminal is the most devastating news to hear. After taking some time away from the media spotlight to process his diagnosis he has since spoken very frankly about the prospect of having two to four years life expectancy and of his intentions to stay positive, appreciate life and find joy. Our thoughts are with Chris and his family right now and for anyone else who is impacted by a terminal cancer diagnosis. Navigating relationships, responsibilities, work and self-care is not an easy task especially when you’re also managing the difficulties of having cancer. The more support, understanding and awareness that we can have makes a big difference to those who need it most. If you are struggling with aspects of your own cancer diagnosis and treatment around work or you're an employer who wants to better support employees affected by cancer, get in touch to find out more about how we can help. https://lnkd.in/eSs9aQFU #workingwithcancer #terminalcancer *article shared from the The Independent

As cancer cases continue to rise globally, it becomes crucial to comprehend the impact of cancer on both individuals and organizations. https://bit.ly/48ejOHu Explore practical measures that your organization can implement to support and protect the health and wellbeing of your workforce and employees. #benefits #wellbeing #health #healthcare