Conditional offer of employment for August start. Just found out I have cancer. What now?

invisibility

Hi all

A few weeks ago I found a new job that I was really excited for. I immediately handed in my notice at my current role as I hate it and wanted a break inbetween my current and new job.

My new job offer is conditional on DBS and occupational health which is pretty normal. I posted my occupational health form a few days ago and yesterday found out I have cancer. I know pretty much nothing about it's stage or what treatment i will need although almost certainly chemo, radio not sure. I am having surgery to remove my lymph node next week and then this will be sent off for analysis and will take around 2 weeks to be returned when I will know more and can start treatment.

I have no idea where this leaves me with my new employer. Would I even pass OH clearance ?

It sounds like a weird thing to worry about but I want to work more than anything. I can't predict how chemo will affect me but I will try as hard as I possibly can I continue as normal. My new job is part time 3 days a week which will help but I am aware that I may still need to miss the odd day for appointments or extreme sickness but id be willing to move my days around and be flexible.

I haven't told them because I don't have much to tell them. I will explain the situation to OH but the timing of this couldn't have been worse.

When I attended my interview as few weeks ago I did know I was having my lump investigated (it says this on my OH form) but I never thought it would actually be cancer. I'm 26 and have no symptoms apart from the lump so it wasn't my plan to go for an interview when I may have had cancer.


Any advice on the best way to treat this situation?

Smodlet

My heart goes out to you and your courage and consideration towards your employer does you great credit. I can only suggest honesty is probably the best policy.

I wish you the very best of luck in all your endeavours and am sorry I cannot be of much use.

TBagpuss

I belive that cancer is automaticallyl classed as a disability for the purposes of protection under the equalities act, so it is likely that if you disclosed your diagnosis and they withdrew the job offer, that this would be unlawful.

You don't hav to tell the employer immediately if you don't want to, although if you may ned accommodations such as time off for medical appointments you will ned to do so.

Macmillan have information on their website and I think also have a help line - perhaps it would be useful for uou to speak to them, for advice, as they will have more experience of the specifc issues which may arise.

Cascais

Hi,

I created an account as I wanted to reply. I have no firm legal view of this, but the exact same thing happened to me last year.

My Oncologist told me quite frankly that starting a new job at the same time as the chemotherapy regime was out of the question. I could have argued of course, but my GP agreed. Obviously they could not know how I would be able to cope with chemo, but it (often) drastically reduces your immune system and so they were very, very keen that I minimised any likelihood of infection – even coughs and colds can turn very nasty. I’m sure your Consultant will be able to advise.

So I explained the position to the potential new employer and we agreed to defer my start date for a few months. To cut a long story short I was not able to take up that role which was a real shame as it was a good career move for me – but my health was more important.

I was in the fortunate position that my husband earns enough to keep us as I was out of work for a year in the end.

On a more positive note, I met a lady in the chemo ward one day who was receiving treatment after working an early shift as a railway guard, then after treatment she was off to collect her children from school and cook dinner! So it can be done.

I do know that cancer is a disability recognised as a ‘protected characteristic’ under the Equality Act. However, as it is often pointed out on this forum, that only means the employer should make reasonable adjustments and, in my case, I would have missed far too many days in the office to be considered ‘reasonable’.

I do wish you all the very best for a positive outcome. Everyone is different and I found having the year out to be hugely helpful, it allowed time to concentrate on being as healthy as possible in terms of food, exercise, relaxation etc. For others, I’m sure keeping busy at work is preferable.


Best wishes,

gettingtheresometime

I'm sorry you're having to face this extra worry when I guess all you want to do is think about getting through the next few weeks.


Personally whilst I agree with Smodlet about being honest,I think you need to find out what you're dealing with first before you should approach your new employer ...that way you can present them with all the facts to make a judgement call - and as much as I hate to add to your worries, a lot of your decisions will be determined about how they react to your news.


Good luck and I hope everything works out for you

invisibility

Thanks all. I should have mentioned my new job is fixed term for a year so deferring a start date is an awkward one but possibly an option. I 100% plan to tell them as soon as I know more after my surgery.

It's hard for me because I have had a lot of time out in the past for mental health issues and I was finally getting my career back on track after the hiccups with that and then this. I guess that's why I really don't want more time out but... I can't predict anything.

Cascais - thank you for signing up and letting me know your experience it's very enlightening. My consultant said "don't quit your current job yet" when I told him I got a new job but I already had hahah. I didn't have a clue.

I don't even know how long the chemo will be for which will make a big difference

ACG

I am normally accused of having a heart of stone but really genuinely feel for you here. I hope all goes well, at 26 you have youth on your side which should hopefully stand you in good stead to get through it.

You will no doubt have read good and bad stories online but my step brother spent his 30th birthday in a cancer ward, we are 5 years down the line now and his life is more or less back to "normal".

What is the job? I only ask as I wonder how likely it is that you will be able to do it if having such harsh treatment? My step brother was pretty much good for nothing for a few days after treatment - In the sense that he had no energy and needed a few days to recover each time. I think I would probably discuss it with the employer though.

invisibility

ACG wrote: »

I am normally accused of having a heart of stone but really genuinely feel for you here. I hope all goes well, at 26 you have youth on your side which should hopefully stand you in good stead to get through it.

You will no doubt have read good and bad stories online but my step brother spent his 30th birthday in a cancer ward, we are 5 years down the line now and his life is more or less back to "normal".

What is the job? I only ask as I wonder how likely it is that you will be able to do it if having such harsh treatment? My step brother was pretty much good for nothing for a few days after treatment - In the sense that he had no energy and needed a few days to recover each time. I think I would probably discuss it with the employer though.

Thanks for your reply.

The job isn't the least taxing... I work in student recruitment and go out to schools and colleges doing presentations, interviews and workshops.

I saw a case study on the Macmillan website of a teacher who kept on working. I guess it's so individual

Smodlet

ACG wrote: »

I am normally accused of having a heart of stone but really genuinely feel for you here. I hope all goes well, at 26 you have youth on your side which should hopefully stand you in good stead to get through it.

You will no doubt have read good and bad stories online but my step brother spent his 30th birthday in a cancer ward, we are 5 years down the line now and his life is more or less back to "normal".

What is the job? I only ask as I wonder how likely it is that you will be able to do it if having such harsh treatment? My step brother was pretty much good for nothing for a few days after treatment - In the sense that he had no energy and needed a few days to recover each time. I think I would probably discuss it with the employer though.

invisibility wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

The job isn't the least taxing... I work in student recruitment and go out to schools and colleges doing presentations, interviews and workshops.

I saw a case study on the Macmillan website of a teacher who kept on working. I guess it's so individual

ACG, you don't have a heart of stone; you tell it like it is, something many cannot digest.

Invisibility, your job does not sound "not in the least taxing" to me; it is clear you enjoy it so I really hope your new employer realises what an asset they have just recruited and accommodates you if necessary. You sound like a remarkable person to me.

EmmyLou30

Everyone is different and every treatment is different and while one person bounces straight back after chemo and carries on coming to work, another person is laid up exhausted in bed for 2 weeks and only has a small window of energy before the next round. I've seen both and everything in between.


All the best and hope the treatment goes well and I take my hat off to you for wanting to keep working at such a difficult time. x

invisibility

Thanks all I rang Macmillan today who were really helpful and they told me it's best to wait a few weeks until I know what stage I'm at until I talk to my new employer. They said even with a conditional offer of employment they can't withdraw it just due to the cancer diagnosis. Obviously I don't want to waste their time not being able to work if I can't so I just need to communicate with them when I know more really. I'm thinking if I work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday then try and have chemo on Thursday (not sure how flexible chemo is on days) then I'll have a few days afterwards at least to feel tired and sick.

I guess I have to wait and see.