I’m not a teacher. I’m an IT sales account manager so my job involves travelling around and visiting customers as well as being in an office with colleagues. Like teaching, it involves a lot of talking and interracting with other people and that is what I’m finding really hard to do at the momemt and I don’t know whether it is because of fatigue or just coming to terms with everything that has happened.
I was DX last October, had WLE and SNB and complications from a haematoma and bleeding disorder that meant a further op and 6 day hospital stay and platelet and blood transfusions. I went back to work @3 weeks later while waiting for rads (no chemo thankfully). I had been back at work for just over 2 months and seemed back to normal to everyone else, but now rads have knocked me for six and I am really wobbly and tearful. My GP has signed me off for another 6 weeks and I am down to SSP at the end of this month. My employers have been very generous and supportive and I feel very bad about not being able to tell them exactly when they’ll have me back and 100% fit again, but even just going to meet with 2 of my bosses yesterday left me exhausted. I know a crystal ball is impossible and everyone is different, but I don’t find the publicised information that says some people are able to work throguh treatment very helpful or realistic. I am interested in your thread because teaching is a role that really needs energy and communication skills, like sales, and I’d like to understand how long it really takes most people to get back into that kind of activity.
Sorry this has turned into a longer post than I thought!
Not sure if this is the right place to post this but Have you heard about Access to Work? - its a goverment programme that supports people with a disability in work - and cancer is accepted as a disability under the DDA.
Access to Work will give support like pay for taxi’s to and from work if its too tireing to drive and also will contribute towards any travel in work and any aides and adaptations that maybe required for people to do their jobs or even pay for a support worker to assist.
Obvisously employers also have a responsibility under DDA and they should make reasonable adjustments but access to work fills the gap between what an employer thinks in reasonable (given the size of the employer) and what will enable the individual to do the job. It also will cover any councelling needed for indivudals re mental health following diagnosis or just coming to terms with treatments or after effects of treatements.
The benefits of staying in work are numerous - not only from an employers point of view to recruit someone new or take on a temp is costly in terms of training/disruption - from an individual point of view it is reported that work is ‘good for you’ and that it helps your mental health, raises your self esteem etc and can stop despression etc. I do understand its not for everyone but it is an option and at least gives you more choices.
I sound as if I am on a soap box but I’m not its just my ‘day job’ which I am passionate about so If anyone wants to know more the programme and how to apply please PM me.
That sounds very interesting. I hadn’t realised that Cancer was classed under DDA. Are there are degrees of how they categorise cancer, by that I mean things like cancers which are non invasive or invasive cancers which haven’t spread to lymph nodes. Just curious because often insurance companies for example have these little hidden pieces of legislation in the small print.
I’m currently on sick from work (I work for Local Government) and I often wonder what will happen when I go back, apart from the emotional side of things, I carry around a heavy case and trolley and am expected to drive distances on a regular basis and whilst I have no aversion to working hard (have done for 23 years full time), I still worry in case I’m not able to meet the demands of the job.
Is there a website which details the Access to Work programme? I could always google but just thought I would ask you with you mentioning that it is your day job!
I’m lucky in a way as I don’t work…but I’m hoping to return to some sort of work this year/next year, some time…my son is autistic and doesn’t sleep well, some nights he’s up and down so I never really had a chance to return to work for the last 16 years…but needs must and he is getting older, so although he still needs some supervision, I need another life, and some cash, I’m just wondering what is available for someone like me, an out of work mum with no qualifications, who has been struck with bc, it would help if I even knew what I wanted to do, some serious consideration needed here.
Hi yes there is a website Direct.gov.uk. then Access to Work. There are no ‘small print’ exclusions. The question is… have you got a disability under the DDA? and with Cancer (as it could effect you long term) the answer is yes then you are eligible to apply for support.(you also need to be over 18 and live and work in GB).
As I said it helps individuals stay in work and is indiviaully tailored to meet your specific needs which could be a number of different aspects. Once you apply you will be contacted by an Adviser who will discuss your needs and arrange an Assessment to be undertaken. Then the support is agreed in consultation with yourself and your employer (usually line manager, HR dept or OT) and you should get the help in place within 8 weeks of your application. let me know if you need any more info or have any difficulites
Just reporting back after discussion with my boss & manager today. I was a bit nervous to start with, but they have been so understanding and supportive.
They’ll organize a laptop to be sent to my home, with everything I need on it, so that I can start working from home. They’ll also organize taxis for me when I do need to pop into work from time to time. What a lovely bunch of people to work for! I’m just so grateful for what they have done.
Good luck to all of you who are thinking of returning to work.
Just to update on this, I emailed our HR officer on Thurs p.m, although I’ve not received onc’s written opinion yet, told her what was said at onc appointment, said I wanted stairs issue agreed prior to return as it was causing me stress, also reminded her of terms of DDA. Received reply yesterday, saying that my boss is on hols, but she will discuss with her on her return (Mon), & with the regional HR officer, & meanwhile I am ‘not to worry’ as they are so committed to helping me to get back on terms that will suit us all, or words to that effect. Anyway, she obviously contacted the reg. HR officer, as this lady has sent her an email, & very kindly cc’d me (& my boss)saying that my request can be accommodated, & that they should not upset me, (again, words to that effect).
So I have got what I needed, but I just know my boss will be livid !
Apparently I’m going to be asked to another meeting ! I’ll let you all know how it goes.
I was diagnosed in Dec, have had WLE and am now in chemo till SEptember then rads. I am normally a full time HR Manager so was interested to read this thread from a number of angles!
I work in the public sector (local govt at the moment). I think its more difficult organising a phased return in some jobs (eg teaching perhaps) but for most jobs that we deal with, I’d expect the manager to worl closely with Occ Health and HR and arrange a phased return. Now that people on sick leave can acrry over their annual leave even if it is more than the normal max, carry over, it can be useful to use some of that time as well, to extend the phased return if necessary.
The BCC guidance material on working is very useful to help prepare yourslef for an interview with a manager. I think it would also help to give the manager and possibly also your union rep a copy of it, esp if noting exists in your organistion.
I know some individuals who have worked during chemo, but everyone can do this. Personally I do not feel I can at present as I still have another op coming up, plus its early days in the chemo. 'm also concerned about the period of low immunity. However some colleagues do find it positively helpful to work, even if they do a different sort of work for a while, where this is possible. In some organisation, there are projects which can be done at home for example, and which can be flexible. The employer does indeed have to take the DDA into account for cancer patients.
I’m 3 days post final rad treatment and was already starting to worry about returning to work so what do I get an e mail from my boss sent on Thursday saying that HR will be contacting me shortly to discuss my return to work (this is my first contact from HR since I was off for first op in November) I wanted to scream at the screen that I have bright red sore skin and I’m knackered all the time don’t they understand!!!
So I sent back a very ‘short’ e mail saying my current sick note doesn’t run out until the 6th April and I hadn’t thought about going back just yet as I was still getting over my 15 rad sessions!!!
Philippa,
I can understand your response. Might be worth bearing in mind - depending on the size and experience of your HR contact. that indeed they might not understand about the impact of rads, and need you to explain it to them, or perhaps provide some info for them. Also although they might be contacting you shortly this does not necessarily mean they are taling about an imminent return - it could be more to allow plenty of time for discussion and a bit of prep. So I’d try to keep HR as well as yr manager on yr side, even if the contact e-mail did not feel welcome.
Many thanks for your advice Sandripples, I’m not feeling at my best this week so probably should have thought before I sent the e mail, have just sent another one to my boss explaining things a bit more so will wait and see what I get back next week.
I completely understand how you’re feeling, especially afetr the dialoge we had about malingering in the other post on rads.
The company I work for is too small to have HR or even any real sick leave policies and I am the first employee who has been off sick with anything serious. I’ve had emails from my bosses enquiring about how the treatment has gone and how I am and my first instinct was to see them as veiled questions about when I’m going to get over it and get back to work. When my GP said last Monday that he was signing me off for another 6 weeks, I was really worried about how my bosses would react, but I met with two of them on Wednesday and they were very kind and supportive and keen to come up with ways to help me get back - but not before I’m ready. They gave me big hugs when we parted - bringing on the waterworks of course!
I wish I could flick a switch and be the person I was before all this happened, but I can’t and you may not be able to either. You need to give it time and not worry about pressure from your work. It will still be there when you’re ready.
Well, so now all I have to worry about (I wish) is actually getting to work & back again. I don’t drive, & will have to get the bus. But the nearest bus stop is approx 1 mile from work. This used to be nothing, of course, but now what with heavy legs & numb feet, I can feel myself getting slower by the time I reach the end of my street on foot.
It doesn’t help that my best friend, who has driven me home from work for the past 6 yrs, & had offered to drive me as much as possible when I go back, has been suddenly made redundant, & finished up yesterday. Emotionally I don’t want to go back without my best friend,(what a baby, I know, but I cry every time I think of it) & practically it’s another thing to struggle with. No-one else will be starting/finishing at same times as me, & I’m not at all sure I will be able to walk so far. Don’t know about you girls, but all of this is just c**p isn’t it? One worry after another. I wish I had known when I was well off.
My friend, who comes under the Disability scheme at work as you will do having had cancer, gets a taxi to work, paid for by the government. I am not sure of the scheme, but if you are disabled and have problems with public transport or getting to work because you can’t drive, you get a lot of support from the government to help you back to work. Not sure of the name scheme, but I am sure if you contact Macmillans they will help out. Seems a brilliant idea to help people remain in work.
Hi Divvy its the access to work programme. further up on this topic i have pasted the link for it and outlined what it will cover - the programme is individually tailored to specific needs with the aim of ensuring people who want to and can work get the support they need to do their job. Cancer is covered as it considered a disability under the DDA. hope that helps.
I have a colleague who gets taxis to work under the Access to Work scheme" due to a severe back problem.She can drive but not walk far but our employer (NHS!)could not provide a guaranteed space so she gets a taxi.Its a great scheme for those who need it.
Worth investigating if you think it will help,
Love
Dot
xxx
Hi Cathy, Dot & Saffronseed
Thanks so much for your responses. I have seen something about Access to Work, but didn’t think it would apply to me, perhaps I am in denial about disability. Anyway I will have a look at it, & also have a very nice lady from McMillan advising me about benefits etc. (got me a grant for transport for rads, & for additional heating), so I can speak to her for advice.
I’m at hospital all day tomorrow to restart Herceptin, so will start looking into this on Tuesday, & let you know how it goes.
Thanks again
x
Had my boss here today she arrived at 9.30am and didn’t go until after 1.00pm. We chatted and chatted and had a good cry together. I hadn’t realised how upset she had been at my having BC (although she is my boss we are also very good friends) she had been worried but hadn’t known what to say to me.
Well to cut a long story short everything is fine with work HR are happy for me to come back to work part time to start with, I can sort of pick and choose my hours to begin with.
So at least I can stop worrying and feeling guilty and just concentrate on getting fit and well - looking to go back some time after Easter now. Its amazing how much calmer I feel now I have talked to her.
phillippa
x