How to explain a career gap due to Cancer

I resigned from my Job in April and was subsequently diagnosed with cancer. I am thinking of returning to work in the new year but was wondering what to put on my CV to explain the gap. Any suggestions? Thanks

Good question Sarah. I did the same thing. Handed in my notice, left work, started looking for new work and got my diagnosis. Am worried people wont offer me a job when they hear the word “cancer”. Obviously they wouldn’t be able to say that was the reason WHY I wasn’t offered a job - but there’s no way to prove that you were the best candidate is there?

I don’t want to lie as if I end up working somewhere for a while they would probably find out. I am also a very open person and would find it very difficult to “conceal the truth”! I am also having Herceptin so would need to have half a day off every 3 weeks…which would look a bit suspicious!

I would hope that it would show that we are strong women who have been through alot but are dealing with it and getting on with our lives - but the worry is alarm bells would ring in their heads imagining sick pay and HR problems.

Ladies, from the 6th April this year no organisation or company can ask you to complete any pre-health questionnaires or forms in line with the Equality Act 2010. On your CV it is quite acceptable to just write the words “career break”. Also under the Equality legislation it states that companies and organisations should make reasonable adjustments for appointments for treatments. If you are ever suspicious of being refused a job because of having cancer you can take it further to a tribunal and state that you have been discriminated against. Companies and organisations have to keep all paperwork for a year after any recruitment period and must submit this as evidence of not discriminating as the onus is on them to show that they haven’t, the onus is not on you to prove they have!! ACAS are a useful contact and have a free helpline: Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm and Saturday, 9am-1pm: 08457 47 47 47, or contact your local Citizen’s Advice centre. Hope that’s of some use, Simone xxx

Hi

I left my fulltime job in Feb this year, I needed a break and wanted to look for something part time.

I applied for a job in a Doctors surgery in May this year as a receptionist and was asked to complete a form listing any medication I was on and put it in a sealed envelope and bring to interview which I did. As I handed it over I mentioned that I was on Letrozole but did not mention or list that I had just finished taking a drug called Amitriptyline. I was then asked if there was anything else I wanted to say. I did wonder at the time whether my own GP had been aproached prior to my interview.

I didn’t get the job but as I felt that it was too soon to be restarting work and my interview didn’t go as well as I hoped I was not worried at the time.

Hazel

I was unemployed for a bit before my diagnosis, but not getting JSA. I had moved from one end of the country to the other and could not get an interview to save myself. When I did the feedback was the employer was concerned I’d be bored in the job on offer as I was more experienced/qualified than their other staff. After I finished chemo I applied for a load of public sector jobs, giving my health details where asked. I kept being offered interviews and it made me feel like it was so they could fill their disability targets, not because of what I could offer them. I now work in partnership with my OH because I feel that’s the best route for me - also I took on one of the jobs I went for and it was a complete disaster because they didn’t have the agreed training programme in place for me, despite the fact they had 6 weeks to organise it. The experience really eroded my confidence and it took me a while to bounce back.

Hello Ladies!
I have been off work since mid June when I started with having a lumpectomy, then 2 other operations to clear margins which weren’t successful. Now I am waiting to have my mastectomy, waiting is something I’m sure you all know about! I am starting to feel I may not want to return to my full time job in the City, before the travelling alone was awful now my circumstances have changed and priorities. At present I am on statutory sick pay which is not much at all and there is no chance of going part time, it’s a very small company and tube fares would not be worth it! Can anyone suggest what my next course of action should be, I have not told anything to my employer about my thoughts yet but I know after my mastectomy I will probably sway towards telling them my thoughts about not returning.
Like another lady mentioned I feel I want a clean break, go on holiday with my husband who had a heart block when I had my lumpectomy, could have been bought on by worrying about me, who knows?? I am not one who likes causing trouble with employers,I get on with them, especially when it comes to asking for references when I go for another job after a break. I am in my 50’s so like others there is a pension to worry about and what you can claim for. I know you cannot claim if you have a certain amount of savings and you can’t claim JSA because I don’t want a job straight away.

Can anyone offer advice? I would appreciate any views.
thanks
HamletXXX

Hello Ladies

Can anyone confirm that the SSP last about 6 months. Reading some posts seems too vary. My company is very small under 12, so not sure when it runs out. Don’t really want to ask them direct because they might sense I may not want to return to work. I would be interested to hear about anyone elses experiences about this issue. Feel a bit guilty about taking too much time off but know I probably won’t feel up to return after my mastectomy, hopefully in November. I’ve been on sick pay since mid June I think, although I did get one months full pay for the previous month May.

Any thoughts appreciated?
thanks

HamletX

SSP runs for 27 weeks.

Hi Hamlet

You can get SSP for 28 Weeks, which is a little over 6 months, you may find this link useful as it gives you more details

direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018786

I would be seeking advice as I am sure there are benefits that you are probably unaware of and could be receiving. I know Macmillan have benefits advisors so may be worth giving them a ring.

I am in the lucky position of getting 3 months full pay and 3 months half pay and will hopefully be back to work before this runs out - I’m looking for some real wood to touch lol

Anne

Hello/Good Morning!

Thanks for the replies about my SSP. I think mine may becoming to an end since started mid June, probably during December, if my doctor gives me another medical certificate? I will contact the Macmillan office at Northwick Park Hospital to check on what benefits I may be entitled to if I resign from my job - Or does anyone know what benefits there are. I read that ill-health benefit may be or is there a disease related benefit… does anyone know of this before I contact the DSS since they can be quite probing and awkward especially since nothing is definite yet? love to hear from anyone of there experiences