6 months ago it was a shock to have been told I had breast cancer but the good thing was that it was early, small and treatable. During the 6 months I have had a lumpectomy with reconstruction, and received radiotherapy and now take Tamoxifen. The side effects have not been too bad in fact better than what I had expected. I do feel tired near late afternoon and have a few hot sweats during the night. It is now the time I feel right to return to work not only mentally but financially as well. During my absence I have been in contact with what I thought was my manager but due to changes in the workplace I now have a knew manager to which up until last week I took it upon myself to ring and introduce myself. She sounded very nice although I was a little surprised when she said ‘at last we speak’. At present I am full of anxiety on returning I have arrangements in place to speak with Occupational Health and have been told what would be best for me. A couple of years ago I found my job very stressful and therefore my GP signed me off for 5 weeks, I regained the thought that I would not let it get to me and returned back in the same position with no return to work or Occupational Health interview. Since then there have been significant changes in my job description although my contract has not changed. I need to be on the right track for my return so I welcome any suggestions of what can be put in place for me to be stress free. I am already going to suggest phased return. Any other ideas please.
hi daisy, I would suggest an OH interview is standard practice, certainly, it was a requirement for me to have one & I found it helpful. OH will make the necessary recommendations to ease you back in. Like you, I asked for a phased return which was put in place.
I was also surpised to learn that a cancer diagnosis means you are covered by the ‘disability act’ therefore, reasonable adjustments must be made so you are not disadvantaged.
You’ve been through a lot so put yourself first on this & ask for what you feel you need.
good luck!
ann x
Hi there, only just seen this post and windering how you are doing ? I would definately request Occ health review, in that appt a plan should be devised to enable you to have a sustainable return to work. Best wishes, LL x
hi lexi,
I had a 2 week phased return on 2 days a week as I requested, then resumed my normal hours. This was fine for me & I’ve been fine since. my treatment was quite straightforward (WLE, SNB & rads), with no complications.
We are all different, so go what you think will work for you.
ann x
Hi I had a diagnosis of breast cancer in August 2015 I had 8 sessions of chemotherapy 20 sessions of radiotherapy a nd a lumpectomy. Now considered in remission I went back to work on the 15.09.16. I had no OH assessment or interview as manager told me because they know what’s wrong with me I don’t need one. I came back on a 4 week phased return did 8 hours over 2 days week 1 the 21hours over 3 days in week 2 and knackered myself out so last week did 8 hrs over two and will be doing the same this week. I discussed everything with my manager and weekly she has an assessment to see how I’m doing. My hours were not increasing so they said they’ll only pay me hourly and I said I assumedon’t I’d have an OH interview. On going back to my breast care nurse she gave me a supporting letter saying I need as much time as I need to recover. She also gave me a cancer in the workplace book to give to my manager to read especially one page that says about fatigue which the nurse says I suffer badly from. Today my manager went to head office to have a meeting with HR about all this so I am looking and also not looking forward to tomorrow’s verdict. Is this all correct as I feel like something is not right.
Hi Emz
Hopefully HR will know their stuff and advise your manager of what they need to do. I don’t have wise words or advice, other than you could ask for an advocate to go with you to any meetings. Macmillan may be able to support. Good luck and I hope you get the support you need xx
Thanks Janey. Well I went back the next day and Boss told me that she saw HR and everything they told her was what she already told me. Then she said they would extend my phased return to 7 weeks max so I already have done 4 so 3 more left. I think boss wants me out as all of a sudden the work she is giving that isn’t my job is wrong… something sounds wrong deffo… I’m being realistic with boss. She said she’s getting OH involved only cos I said I wanted them involved but a twist to thus now is I’ve developed breathlessness worse than before and using an inhaler regularly my fatigue has risen and GP has signed me off again until the 30.10.16 for investigation purposes. I’m stressing out cos of what I’m going to face if I do return to work. Not sure what else to do…
Hi Emz. You really don’t need additional worry at this time and hope you get some speedy answers from the doctors.
There is another thread on here about work and Sue H-S is being put through hard times with work. I think she’s had support through Macmillan and has approached ACAS too, so it maybe worth a read through her story.
My manager is finally coming to see me today - policy states we should have met at least 3 times already! Luckily I feel secure in my job but am concerned how I will manage unpredictable hours and work. I think I will try and find the booklet you mention.
Good luck and rooting for you xx