“What About My Job?” The First Question People Ask Themselves After a Cancer Diagnosis.
Let’s build workplaces that support people through cancer with compassion.
Why Workplaces Must Adapt to Employees with Cancer
Workers’ Day: More Than a Holiday
Workers’ Day recognises the importance of workers but for many companies, it’s just another holiday with paid leave or a PR opportunity for lip service that rarely translates into action, especially when those same employees fall ill.
Far too often, workers diagnosed with cancer are met with awkward silences, excluded from projects, or quietly pushed out. They’re treated as liabilities, not human beings navigating a terrifying and unpredictable reality.
I’ve experienced this myself. As a cancer survivor who’s shared parts of my journey, people – often complete strangers, reach out to me. They think they know me from radio or social media, but I’m not in their immediate personal circle, and that distance feels safe. They don’t always want advice. They just want someone who understands.
And nearly every time, the first thing they ask is: What’s going to happen to my job?
How Will Cancer Affect My Job?
Before people ask about treatment plans.
Before they talk about side effects.
They ask about income.
About stability.
Survival.
Over 85% of those who’ve reached out to me have been women. Not once did any of them express concern about how they’ll look, but who will care for their kids if they can’t.
Job security should never be the primary fear. But it is.
I’ll never forget one particular woman at the radiation clinic where I went for treatment frantically trying to rearrange every single appointment around her work schedule. Five sessions a week for five weeks – and all she wanted was to not fall behind at work. At a time when she should have been prioritising survival, she was prioritising her job.
And I had to wonder: Did her employer even know?
Could they not have made space for her recovery?
Why Workplaces Must Adapt to Employees with Cancer
The brutal truth is that many companies prioritise productivity over people. They say their staff are “like family,” but when cancer enters the room, the care disappears.
And yet, illness doesn’t follow a predictable schedule. Treatment gets delayed. Side effects hit hard. Recovery stretches beyond weeks into months. And support often fades just when it’s needed most.
To make it worse, many employees don’t know their rights. They don’t know what happens when their sick leave runs out. They know they might need to inform HR but that also means risking possible discrimination.
That needs to change.
Cancer in the Workplace – Advice for Managers
Companies need to do better – not just in policies, but in practice. While the bottom line is crucial, a truly sustainable business understands that prioritising people, especially during vulnerable times, ultimately contributes to long-term success.
Imagine the relief of focusing solely on healing, knowing your job is secure, your colleagues are supportive, and your contribution is valued, regardless of your current health.
How To Support Employees Dealing With Cancer
✓ Offer flexible working hours and remote options.
✓ Extend paid medical or sick leave.
✓ Train managers to lead with empathy.
✓ Assign a point person for updates and support.
✓ Adjust expectations without penalising performance.
✓ Include counselling in employee wellness programmes.
✓ Foster a culture of dignity, respect, and non-judgement.
✓ Maintain open and confidential communication.
✓ Let employees guide what and when to disclose.
✓ Support phased return-to-work plans.
Because here’s the reality: Instead of being able to focus fully on recovery, the employee’s energy is split. One part of their brain is fighting for survival, while the other is calculating how to protect their income, manage expectations, and stay relevant in the workplace. It’s not just emotionally taxing, it’s debilitating.
Now imagine the alternative.
Build a Cancer-Supportive Workplace
What if companies chose to pick up the slack, temporarily and intentionally? What if they assured their employees: We’re here for you. We’ll support you through this. Your job is safe.
That kind of reassurance is life-affirming. It frees up emotional and mental energy to focus on what matters most: getting well. And when that person returns, they don’t just come back healthier. They return more loyal, engaged, and connected to a company that chose humanity over a spreadsheet.
I’m saying this as someone who’s been through it. As a cancer survivor, the stress of financial insecurity was relentless. If I’d had clear support from the people who hired me or paid me, it would have changed everything. Survival shouldn’t come with a price tag, and no one should have to choose between their health and employment.
From Survivor to Speaker:
Helping Workplaces to Support Employees with Cancer
If you’re in HR, leadership, or workplace wellness and want to support your team more meaningfully through life-changing diagnoses, let’s talk.
I help organisations build workplaces that value people, not just when they’re thriving but barely holding on. It’s not complicated. It just takes care, clarity, and action. I know how job insecurity and financial fear can overshadow recovery, and how powerful it is when people feel seen, safe, and genuinely supported.
I offer workshops to help raise awareness, including:
✓ Custom workshops for managers and teams
✓ Private HR consultations
✓ Engaging talks that foster empathy and raise awareness through real-life stories
Let’s build a culture where people don’t have to choose between their life and their livelihood, because real leadership shows up when your people are at their most vulnerable.
Reach out at edward@jozistyle.joburg or here on LinkedIn.
Main photo by fauxels
