Many people worry about telling their employer that they have been diagnosed with cancer and need to have treatment.

You may worry that your employer may not support you and that they may be prejudiced or discriminate against you. Some people worry that their employer will sack them or find an excuse to make them redundant if they say that they have cancer. However, employers should not do this and research has shown that it very rarely happens.

Anyone who has cancer is protected by the Disability Discrimination Act, which prevents employers victimising or discriminating against people with a disability. The Act also states that employers are expected to make reasonable adjustments to support employees in the workplace. You may want to make suggestions for adjustments that could help to support you.

To consider any reasonable adjustments, an employer may ask for your permission to write to your doctor or a medical professional to get their advice on steps that need to be taken. Your employer cannot do this without your permission. You also have the right to see any medical report before it is sent to your employer.

If your employer knows that you have cancer they can help you by providing support and giving you information about your rights. They can also make sure that you have time off if you need it and that you get all the financial help and benefits you are entitled to. You can talk directly to your employer, or to your human resources manager or occupational health department.

Although it is helpful to tell your employer that you have cancer, you do not have to do so by law. However, if you do not tell your employer that you have cancer, and the cancer and its treatment affects your ability to do your job, this could cause problems. In extreme cases, it may lead to disciplinary action being taken against you. Also, if your employer does not know about your cancer and its effects they will probably not be required by law to make any necessary adjustments for you at work.

If carrying on as normal is important for you, you should say this to your employer so that they can support you in continuing with your work. However, if you cannot go on working normally, due to the cancer or its treatment, then let your employer know. This will mean that arrangements can be made to alter your work or give you time off if necessary.

Looking for work

If you are looking for a new job, you may wonder whether you have to tell prospective employers that you have or have had cancer. Employment law does not prevent an employer from asking you for information about a disability. However, this information should not be asked for unless it is needed to enable a recruitment decision or for a related purpose, such as equal opportunities monitoring. Disability-related questions must not be used to discriminate against a disabled person and an employer should only ask such questions if they are, or may be, relevant to the person’s ability to do the job.

During the recruitment process, if you are asked directly whether you have a health condition, legally you should say that you have (or have had) cancer. Even if it won't affect your ability to do the job, you still have to tell a potential employer.

It is important that you do not lie to an employer or potential employer. If you give false or incomplete information and it is found out at a later stage, your employer could reasonably assume you were hiding the information. This can lead to a breakdown in trust and confidence between you. On that basis the employer could potentially fairly dismiss you.

Many people with cancer do not consider themselves to be disabled and if asked in general terms whether they consider themselves disabled will say no. However, if you are asked if you are disabled for the purposes of the Disability Discrimination Act you should say yes. This is because everyone with cancer is covered by the Act and the term disabled has a specific meaning under that Act.

If you are asked how much sick leave you have taken, you should give an honest answer, but you do not have to say it was due to the cancer, unless you are asked directly.

Many people understandably worry that telling an employer about the cancer may put them at a disadvantage during the recruitment process. If the process allows you when to tell them about your health, it may be best to wait to discuss it until a decision about the applicants has been made. This may reduce the risk that it could affect your chances of getting the job.