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Help with work

Sammy86
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Hi,

I went back to work on 10th Jan following 9 weeks sick leave having an operation for mouth cancer. I currently still have the plate in my mouth and will require a second operation to reconstruct the roof of my mouth. So I had my return to work interview today (10 days late) and was told that im no longer allowed my hospital appointments during work time. I'll have to make my hours up if they clash with a shift even though the company policy is if a hospital appointment is cancer related they will pay. And also that im now on a record of improvement for my absence. It's stressing me out a bit as I know I have another op coming up which will require more time off work so my absence percentage is only going to increase and so next time will be a written warning. I don't want to use my cancer as an excuse but at the same time there are people who really take the p with sickness and mine is genuine and I just don't think it's fair. They're trying to reduce hours and I can't help but feel like they're putting me in a position to fail so they have an excuse to get rid of me by using my absence as an excuse. But I don't know where I stand. I'm sure they're just following procedures but given the nature of my illness I'm surprised this will go against me. Even Covid doesn't go on your sickness record at our place yet cancer does. It's a well known large supermarket i work for. In quite a passive aggressive way I told them to write that I'll try not to get cancer in future but they refused to write it. 

  • Hello Sammy86

    I'm so sorry to hear that your employer is not being supportive following your diagnosis and return to work. 

    Following a cancer diagnosis, you are protected by law from unfair treatment at work. I'd really encourage you to get in touch with the Macmillan Work Support Service who will be able to give you some advice and information. 

    I really do hope that you're able to get this resolved and wish you well for your continued recovery.

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

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    Hi Sammy , remember anyone who has or had cancer is classed as DISABLED so different rules apply for them nomatter what work say .   As Jenn says Macmillan should give you more information .  Please don't let them bully you you have rights and they know it .

    Good luck with everything going on around you and hope you can soon get things sorted .

    Take care keep safe and positive.

    Billy

  • Offline in reply to Billygoatt

    What?  This is a terrible (and illegal) way to treat an employer with a genuine illness.  I also work for a banking arm of a large supermarket and I wonder if it is the same one.  

    Are you talking to your local management or to Occupational Health as well?  The things you are being told are just wrong.  You are entitled to reasonable adjustments for your health.   I go to all my appts in work time, paid, I don't have to make up the time and neither do I record them as sickness - even when I gave my manager a list and said "this is the schedule".  Some of them are 1/2 a day a time as well.  

    Good luck.  I also think you should insist on your response "I'll try not to get cancer in future" being recorded because a right to reply is your right too.    

     

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    Hey, 

    I'm sorry but I came across your post and had to chip in! It made my blood boil. Whilst I didn't have difficulties in going to appointments once diagnosed with my work place (and a horrible manager who has since left thankfully) I struggled to go to appointments in the run up to my diagnosis, you know the GP appointment to get referred and the biopsy/results appointments. Again, I too had my hours reduced even though they paid me full time for 4 months!!! Employers just seem to think when your diagnosed with cancer that the chemo/surgery/rad AAiotherapy/immunotherapy/beginning hormone therapy/recovery of all this takes 5 seconds, I swear it!!! 

    YOU my lovely have cancer. THAT quite frankly is devastating. How dare they treat you like this. Going to appointments is part of 'reasonable adjustments' and whilst no they don't have to pay you to go to them, they surely should use a bit of common sense over this. Not only does the Equality Act cover you here but they are simply treating you poorly and need to tread VERY carefully. I'd speak to McMillan and get this documented.

    Xxx

     

     

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