Work and CancerPromoting Macmillan’s resources in your organisation

How to use this document

As an employer you know how important it is to support members of staff with cancer. Macmillan’s extensive range of work and cancer resources can help you do just that.

What’s more, you can use the following paragraphs to promote the fact that your organisation offers them. Simply pick your audience, then copy, paste and personalise the relevant sections and put them on your intranet, in your staff newsletter or on a poster. Remember to right click on web links and select Open Hyperlink.

Want to include the Macmillan logo in your communications? Download it from be.macmillan.org.uk/logo

Sections to select

Introduction for all audiences

Messages for HR professionals in your organisation

Line managers in your organisation

Occupational health professionals in your organisation

All employees in your organisation

Description of Macmillan’s work and cancer resources

Other ways in which Macmillan can help employees affected by cancer

Section one: Introduction for all audiences

Work and cancer

More than 100,000 people of working age are diagnosed with cancer every year and, for most, it will be the toughest fight they ever face. More than 500,000 others have to juggle their work with looking after someone with cancer. Research by Macmillan Cancer Support has shown that employers can play a pivotal role in supporting people with cancer and their carers. That’s why we’ve introduced their extensive range of work and cancer resources to <insert organisation name>. Packed with expert, up-to-date information, they’re available for all of our <employees/colleagues/members of staff>.

We have a range of resources that can help, whether you are living with cancer or caring for someone yourself, or if you are managing someone affected by cancer. You can get hold of them by contacting <insert name and department of employee and insert any other place where an employee is likely to find these resources at your organisation, eg ‘looking on the intranet’> or visiting macmillan.org.uk/work

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Section two: HR professionals

HR professionals

As an HR professional, you may have to advise a <insert organisation name> employee who has cancer or who is looking after someone affected by it. That’s why it’s crucial you have the right information to hand. And that’s where Macmillan’s resources come in. If you want to brush up on best practice for supporting colleagues affected by cancer and help them to understand their rights, make sure you take a look.

You can get hold of them by contacting <insert name and department of employee and insert any other place where an employee is likely to find these resources at your organisation, eg ‘looking on the intranet’> or visiting macmillan.org.uk/work

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Section three: Line managers

Line managers

One in six line managers have managed someone with cancer, yet almost three in ten say they feel poorly equipped to support employees affected by it. That’s where Macmillan’s resources come in. If you want to feel confident in supporting colleagues affected by cancer, including carers, make sure you take a look. Even if you only have five minutes to spare, grab a copy of the Top 10 tips for line managers. It’s a quick read that’s packed with useful information.

You can get hold of this, and all the other resources, by contacting <insert name and department of employee and insert any other place where an employee is likely to find these resources at your organisation, eg ‘looking on the intranet’> or visiting macmillan.org.uk/work

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Section four: Occupational health professionals

Occupational health professionals

As an occupational health professional, you may have to support a <insert organisation name> employee with cancer to remain in or return to work. That’s why it’s crucial you have the right information to hand. And that’s where Macmillan’s resources come in. If you want to brush up on how cancer can affect someone at work, make sure you take a look. You can get hold of them by contacting <insert name and department of employee and insert any other place where an employee is likely to find these resources at your organisation, eg ‘looking on the intranet’> or visiting macmillan.org.uk/work.

What’s more, Macmillan has also developed an e-learning course for occupational health professionals like you. Working with cancer, the occupational impact of cancer is endorsed and accredited by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine for two CPD points. To take the course, just head to learnzone.macmillan.org.uk

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Section five: All employees

All employees – both living with and caring for someone with cancer

More than one in three people will get cancer at some point in their lives, and many others will care for a family member or friend affected by it. If you’ve been diagnosed, or if you’re supporting a family member or friend with cancer while working, Macmillan’s range of work and cancer resources can help.

To find out more, please contact <insert name and department of employee> or visit macmillan.org.uk/work.

All employees – caring for someone with cancerCancer not only affects the person with the diagnosis but also their friends and family. Currently more than 500,000 people are in part-time or full-time work and balancing the demands of their job with the needs of the person they are looking after. If you’re supporting someone with cancer while working, Macmillan’s range of work and cancer resources can help.

To find out more, please contact <insert name and department of employee> or visit macmillan.org.uk/work.

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Section six: Macmillan’s work and cancer resources

Macmillan’s work and cancer resources for all audiencesHere are the Macmillan resources that <insert name of organisation> has to offer. You can find all of these resources by contacting <insert name and department of employee and insert any other place where an employee is likely to find these resources at your organisation, eg ‘looking on the intranet’>

<AND/OR>

You can (also – if and) access digital versions of the following resources from macmillan.org.uk/work. Those that are available in hard copy can be ordered from be.macmillan.org.uk/work

<To signpost employees to specific resources, please select from the following pages as appropriate>:

The essential work and cancer toolkitA comprehensive collection of Macmillan’s key work and cancer resources for employers and employees. The toolkit includes expert guidance about minimising the impact of cancer on your organisation, top tips for line managers, and information to share with employees affected by cancer. The following resources can be found in the toolkit:

•Managing cancer in the workplace: An employer’s guide to supporting staff affected by cancer

•Work and cancer: Top 10 tips for line managersYou can download a PDF version here.

•Work and cancerA guide for employees living with cancer.

•Working while caring for someone with cancerA guide for employees caring for someone with cancer.

•Work it out: the essential questions to ask about work

•Work it out for carers: essential questions for carers to ask about work and cancer

•Work and cancer posterDisplay this poster in your department to raise awareness of the support that’s available to employees.

Macmillan’s free Cancer in the Workplace DVDWe’ve produced some short films to help employers manage people affected by cancer at work. The expert advice and real-life examples can help if you need to support a colleague affected by cancer.

The five films include real life experiences that are relevant to businesses of all sizes and focus on different aspects of cancer in the workplace:

• Talking about cancer at work

• Making work adjustments for an employee affected by cancer

• Managing bereavement and end of life

• Supporting carers

• Managing the impact of cancer on a small business

Consider sharing them with colleagues at team meetings or in learning and development activities.

You can order the DVD for free from be.macmillan.org.uk or you can watch the films online.

Real life work and cancer stories

These films about managing cancer in the workplace cover three different perspectives :

Access our film about an HR professional perspective here

Access our film about an employee perspective here

Access our film about a line manager perspective here

Other Macmillan resourcesThe Work and Cancer online tool

Macmillan wants it to be as easy as possible for you to find answers about work and cancer. So we’ve taken all we’ve learnt and developed some online resources for businesses of all sizes.

The work and cancer online tool provides quick and expert answers to your questions such as:

• How do I talk about cancer with employees and clients?

• Where can I find information about cancer?

• What impact will cancer have on my business?

• What are my legal obligations?

• How can I support employees coping with bereavement?

• What support can I give to carers?

Access The work and cancer online tool at macmillan.org.uk/employertool

The Equality Act 2010 and cancer – how it affects you 

Get to grips with the updated Equality Act 2010 and understand how the changes in the law impact employees affected by cancer. You can download a PDF version here.

 

Macmillan’s free e-learning zoneMacmillan’s online Learn Zone offers a wide range of free e-courses and cancer information, and they’re all available to anyone who works at <insert name of organisation here>. The following courses can be found at learnzone.org.uk

Cancer in the workplace: employer perspectiveThis course helps employers deal with issues around cancer and work. It contains documentary-style video clips that focus on particular scenarios along with advice from professionals on how to deal with issues that arise (use search term ‘work’).

Cancer in the workplace: union representativesThis course helps union representatives deal supporting an employee who is diagnosed with cancer. It contains documentary-style video clips that focus on particular scenarios along with advice from professionals on how to deal with issues that arise (use search term ‘work’).

Working with Cancer: the occupational impact of cancer This e-learning course was developed for occupational health professionals. It aims to refresh existing knowledge and provide new information about the occupational impact of a cancer diagnosis on adults of working age. It is endorsed and accredited by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine for two CPD points (use search term ‘work’).

Introduction to cancerThis introductory course on cancer uses a variety of learning tools to increase your understanding of cancer types, diagnosis and treatment. It also provides information on the practical and emotional impact of cancer (use search term ‘introduction to cancer’).

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Section seven: Information for employees about other ways in which Macmillan can support people affected by cancer

The Macmillan team is in your corner

The Macmillan team provides a whole host of support beyond the work and cancer resources that <insert name of organisation> provides. If you’ve been affected, Macmillan can help.

 

Their extensive range of cancer information resources can answer your questions on everything from cancer types to cancer treatments and from dietary to financial issues. What’s more, when it comes to support, Macmillan’s network of support is second to none.

If you’d like to speak to someone, why not call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 or head to one of their local information and support centres? Take a look on macmillan.org.uk to find one near to you. There you’ll also find details about how you can share your story with others in the same boat as you at a self-help and support group. In fact, Macmillan can even support you in setting you own group up.

 

No one should face cancer alone. Whatever cancer support you need, the Macmillan team will be with you every step of the way.

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