Returning to Work After Cancer
Returning to work after cancer can bring questions about your employment rights, reasonable adjustments, working hours and what support is available to you.
We’ve brought together some resources that can help you understand your options and find further advice and support.
Listen: Returning to Work After Cancer: What I Wish I'd Known
In this episode, Steph sits down with Tabitha Luxmoore-Styles and HR Director Lisa Wade to talk about what can help when returning to work after cancer, from managing fatigue and brain fog to setting boundaries, flexible working, and understanding your legal rights at work.
Tabitha shares her experience of navigating work while still managing long-term side effects after cancer treatment, including how she communicated her needs, built buffers into her working week, managed her energy, set clear boundaries, and advocated for herself in the workplace.
Lisa, HR Director at Radisson Hotel Group, shares both professional insight and lived experience after her own breast cancer diagnosis. Together, we discuss practical steps to take before returning to work, what supportive workplaces look like, why return-to-work plans sometimes fail and how the Equality Act protects people diagnosed with cancer in the workplace, both during and after treatment.
You can also listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Returning to Work After Cancer: Helpful Resources
For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, we recommend speaking with a qualified professional such as an HR specialist, ACAS, or an employment solicitor.
Checking your employment contract, company policies, and insurance documents before a
returning to work after cancer is critical for understanding your legal rights, and arranging
necessary support.
The UK government's Access to Work scheme is also a great place to start, specifically
designed to provide tailored, practical support. It helps you stay in work or return to your job by covering costs for adjustments that go beyond standard company responsibilities.
Understanding Your Legal Rights
Start here if you’re unsure where you stand at work, what your employer must do, or what counts as fair treatment.
ACAS – clear, practical guidance on employment law and workplace rights
Employment Rights: https://www.acas.org.uk/employment-rights-act-2025
Discrimination and the Equality Act 2010 Law: https://www.acas.org.uk/discrimination-and-the-law
Health & Safety: https://www.acas.org.uk/health-and-safety-at-work
Macmillan Cancer Support – cancer-specific employment rights guidance
Free Advice & Support Services
If you want to talk things through, get personalised advice, or understand your options.
ACAS (They also offer a helpline and can support with workplace disputes)
Access to Work - Government support to help you get or stay in work after cancer
Citizens Advice
England: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Scotland: www.cas.org.uk
Equality Advisory and Support Service
(Support if you think you’re experiencing discrimination)
Law Centres Network
(Free legal advice on discrimination, employment, and social welfare law)
Disability law service
Work Rights
(A free tool to help work out whether your employer is legally obliged to make adjustments so that you can work efficiently and effectively in your workplace)
Macmillan Cancer Support Work Support Team
0808 808 00 00
Macmillan personalised care plan
Financial & Practical Workplace Support
If you need help staying in work, returning gradually, or accessing funding/support
UK Government
(Funding for adjustments like travel, equipment, or support workers)
Macmillan
Cancer-Specific Work & Wellbeing Support
For guidance that understands the reality of returning to work after treatment.
Maggie's Centres
Macmillan Cancer Support
Work assessment tool (eHNA) https://www.macmillan.org.uk/dfsmedia/1a6f23537f7f4519bb0cf14c45b2a629/19702-10061/eHNA-work-employed
Free counselling service (mentioned in the workshop) https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatment/coping-with-treatment/talking-therapies
Working With Cancer
Helps employees, employers, the self-employed, job seekers and carers to manage cancer and work
AXA health
Disclaimer
The resources included in this document are provided for informational purposes only to support individuals returning to work after cancer.
They are not created, supplied, or endorsed by Life after Cancer, and we are not affiliated with the organisations listed. We do not recommend or take responsibility for the accuracy, quality, or content of external resources.
Accessing and using these resources is entirely at your own discretion. We encourage you to use your own judgement when deciding what is helpful and appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Comments