Advice for team member with Cancer Diagnosis

Hi all,

Looking for some advice. A valuable member of my team at work has recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer are are about to go begin treatment. Obviously they are in shock. From an employer perspective we are looking to support them as best we can in terms of keeping working, taking time off and hoping to support this valued team member (and friend!) as much as we can.

I was wondering if anyone here any practical recommendations or advice in terms of how we can support them, talk to them, reassure them. They may want to keep working or may not, they may want to talk about the diagnosis and treatment or may not. I would be interested in finding out how others have dealt with this situation. I appreciate everyone deals with this differently so all thoughts are welcome.

Parents
  • Hi Ben 

    I was working at a small fabrication and welding firm, only five workers including the boss and his wife was the secretary. As soon as I found out i went straight to work and told them all. 

    Stage 4 uncurable (now classed as palliative care) and my boss said come in when i want to. Even having chemotherapy. if i felt OK  i was in it was something to concentrate on rather than cancer all the time and i was very grateful to do something normal.

    I was diagnosed Feb 2016. Had to retire to look after my disabled wife she needs 24 /7 care she has Alzheimers and parkinsons. I'm still going strong. And would love to get back to work..

    As long as he's OK let him come to work, let him choose the subject is easier than trying to find a subject what's OK, some people don't mind talking about how things are going. Mainly treat him like a worker and friend. 

    Hope I've given you some ideas. 

    Billy 

Reply
  • Hi Ben 

    I was working at a small fabrication and welding firm, only five workers including the boss and his wife was the secretary. As soon as I found out i went straight to work and told them all. 

    Stage 4 uncurable (now classed as palliative care) and my boss said come in when i want to. Even having chemotherapy. if i felt OK  i was in it was something to concentrate on rather than cancer all the time and i was very grateful to do something normal.

    I was diagnosed Feb 2016. Had to retire to look after my disabled wife she needs 24 /7 care she has Alzheimers and parkinsons. I'm still going strong. And would love to get back to work..

    As long as he's OK let him come to work, let him choose the subject is easier than trying to find a subject what's OK, some people don't mind talking about how things are going. Mainly treat him like a worker and friend. 

    Hope I've given you some ideas. 

    Billy 

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