Academics are carrying out research that could lead to new guidelines for employers, line managers and occupational health professionals on how to support employees returning to work after cancer.
The research is being led by Manchester University’s Macmillan Cancer Research Unit but also involves Dr Stuart Whitaker, senior lecturer in OH at the University of Cumbria.
The project is investigating the benefit of doing things such as providing written advice to patients and their employers on return to work, plus the benefits of access to specialist OH advice. There will also be a range of randomised controlled trials.
The charity Cancerbackup has estimated that, of the 90,000 people of working age who are diagnosed with cancer each year, one in five of those who return to work report that their job satisfaction and career prospects have subsequently deteriorated.
