Redundancy
Redundancy Hi there,
I have worked for a National Charity as a regional manager for the South and was devastated to learn last week that my job is ‘unsafe’, which is the current PC term used when a company wants to make staff redundant. This has happened as a result of a new Chief exec being appointed and because the organisation needs to cut costs in order to survive.
I was diagnosed with CA in 2005 and worked throughout all of my treatment, the only time off I had was after surgery and a few days after each chemo, so I feel particularlly aggrieved at the way I am now being treated on top of everything else. I have my annual mammogram tomorrow and this has added to the stress and the worry that I may get a recoccurance as well.
I have already started looking for another job, but the field I work in is highly specialised, therefore getting another job locally will be difficult. I am also worried about having to declare my diagnosis, as some potential employers ask for detailed medical declarations whilst others don’t. I know that theoretically I am covered by the DDA, but how can I prove that this has not gone against me it if someone turns down my application? I would be interested to know if anyone in the forums successfully changed their job during the 5 year period we all have to survive before being discharged. Would be grateful for any advice.
soapsuds
Hi Soapsuds
Don’t know if this will help
I interviewed for a new job and after the interview went home and found a lump in my breast.
Two days later they phoned and offered me the job. This was the day that my gp saw me and agreed that yes there was something in my breast
I work in education so the following two weeks were the easter holidays so did not work. During those two weeks my gp referred me and I was seen by the consultant. I had mammogram, biopsy and ultrascan which confirmed that i had breast cancer and that surgery would be required.
I then had to go into work on my very first day and say to my new boss
’ You know you hired me and I had all the health checks…well over Easter… this has happened’
Before and during talking to her i felt sick, tearful the whole lot
I have been so lucky -they were fantastic and her words were
‘we knew you were the right person for the job and we still feel this’
I Know this is not quite what you were asking but hope it may help a little
xxx JOOLS
Hi soapsuds
I can’t give you any advice but I will be in the same boat at the end of my treatment.
I was made redundant at the end of Nov 06 and dx with bc 27 Dec 06! Who on earth will give me a job at the moment when I am only fit for one week a month! Side effects of epi knock me out
Do we put on our applications that we have been treated for bc, who knows if it will come back or not, no guarantees etc? I am on the TACT2 trial arm 3, and have just finished 4 epi’s, I now have 4 x Xeloda then 5 weeks of rads and either Arimadex or Tamoxifen after for, I am told, 5 years.
It worries the hell out of me. I have been living off my redundancy money but that is now almost gone and £60 IC a week doesn’t go far.
Sorry I can’t help and my reply to you turned out to be a moan. 
I wish you all the very best and will be watching the responses to see if I learn anything to help. If I hear of anyone who has changed their job then I will let you know if the bc had any bearing.
Take care and good luck soapsuds
Chrisjo
Hi All
Just wanted to add that I am also in the same boat. Dianosed 13th Oct 06 and made redundant 3rd Nov 06. Unfortunately, although my ex employer has not become insolvent, he still did not pay my October salary or any redundancy as the company could not afford to do so. I had worked there 10 years so the redundancy would come in handy right now! We are trying to get what is owed to us with the help of the union and ACAS. It is all starting to be a worry now
I have just finished 8 cycles of chemotherapy and am very keen to get out there and find a new job. I have 5 weeks of radiotherapy starting next week though so it’s not easy at the moment.
I suppose as always we have to be positive and hope that something good will come along. Who knows!
All the best to you all and good luck.
Love Lollie
Redundancy part 2 Hi to all who replied to my post. I hadn’t checked the forums for a few weeks so was surprised that mine was still current. Since my orginal posting I have actually been made redundant, currently awaiting confirmation in writing and payment. I have been offered another job, several of many offers, as I have a well known reputation within my profession so I have been very lucky, although must confess that I have been economical with the facts on my health declaration, just declared ‘lumpectomy’ under surgery and ‘hormone treatment’ for tamoxifen, but will need to confess all when I start, as the company provides BUPA so I expect this will be invalid for BCA. In some ways I am glad that the redundancy happened, as I had been shortlisted for another job in 2005 and had to decline the interview at the time because it was due the week I was diagnosed and I needed the sick pay accumulated after 4 1/2 years of service. I only stuck with the now former employers for this reason, so now I have been pushed into finally making the move I wanted 2 years ago. Thanks again to all who replied.
Soapsuds
Just wanted to add my tuppence.
My employer took me on in between end of treatment and trying to get Herceptin funded.
He was completely supportive of my time off for Herceptin infusions and hasnt been phased by my latest news of more treatment either, which is for secondaries.
I have been told to decide what hours I can do and they will work around me, even tho I’m part of a double act who sometimes see over 100 people a day.
There are good people out there, so dont think you arent employable after treatment - everyone knows we wont just take time off for a head cold after all this, unlike some ‘healthy’ people, and have more to prove to ourselves as well.
Steph x