This is a great overview of people who get cancer and struggle at their workplace. It is important to know your rights and responsibilities. There are enough stressors in life, after a diagnosis of cancer - than to struggle with the complexities of keeping a job.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/editorials/cancer-patients-workplace-rights/news-story/9fdf6b58af8da3be792eb098a54e55a0 - EDITORIAL Among 150,000 Australians who will be diagnosed with cancer this year, many will be in the workforce. They will have families to support and financial commitments. Many will need time off for treatment and will be relying on sick and long-service leave. Extended illnesses among staff can create problems, especially for small businesses. Goodwill and flexibility on both sides help. Much depends on the severity of the illness, the treatment and the practicality of options such as working part time or from home. Many patients recover and return to work for decades. Liz Tapping, 56, a Melbourne mother of three who was sacked after she asked to take personal and annual leave for breast cancer surgery and treatment, has made an important point for those forced to quit their jobs in such circumstances. At the hospital, she was told she could continue to work and juggle her treatment around it. And the company accountant told her she had accrued holiday and sick leave to cover her absence. But after she lost her job in 2019, she decided to fight her dismissal. She reached a financial settlement with her employer, Empress Diamonds, after the Federal Circuit Court found the company contravened the Fair Work Act by terminating her employment because she proposed to exercise her rights to take leave. Her situation is not unique, advocates for women with breast cancer told workplace editor Ewin Hannan. Breast Cancer Network Australia policy, advocacy and member support director Vicki Durston said employers faced a complex situation when employees were diagnosed with cancer. The problem was often a lack of understanding, and lacking the resources and tools to understand how to tackle the challenge of one of their employees having a cancer diagnosis. Cancer patients do not need the stress of fighting for their rights in court. Neither do businesses. Ms Tapping’s illness has returned, sadly. But lessons can be learned from the stand she took and from the outcome. As Ms Durston says, the issue for employers is “about making sure that you have the conversation with your staff, and you understand what this means and knowing your rights”. Comments are closed.
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Rohit JoshiCancer, Medicine and Life: A cancer and medicine blog to help on the journey of life. Medicine and Medical Oncology are rapidly changing fields and is hard for most people to keep up. A diagnosis of any illness, in particular cancer is devastating news for anyone, and the hope is that we can share knowledge and support each other. Archives
May 2024
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