Harley Street Concierge shares new cancer support guide for employers

To coincide with World Cancer Day (February 4, 2019), Harley Street Concierge has compiled a new guide to ensure employers are offering the right support to staff with a cancer diagnosis.

As today marks World Cancer Day (February 4, 2019), specialist cancer care provider Harley Street Concierge (HSC) has detailed its new guide to support employers.

With one third of people living with cancer being of working age, and 50,000 employees in the UK having a second full time ‘job’ caring for someone with cancer, offering support to employees has moved up the workplace agenda.

Harley Street Concierge’s guide is available for free and provides employers with bite-sized information from the team’s advisors and specialist cancer nurses.

“The cancer journey is a rollercoaster of emotion especially shortly after you’ve been diagnosed with cancer. Understanding your options, knowing what questions to ask, finding the most appropriate private specialists and organising appointments can be confusing and time-consuming,” said TV and radio’s Dr. Sarah Jarvis MBE.

“Cancer support from Harley Street Concierge takes you through each decision, appointment and treatment option, every step of the way.”

The HSC team have put together a checklist to help employers support someone who has received a cancer diagnosis:

How to have the conversation with an employee;

• Prepare yourself for the conversation
• Respect confidentiality
• Stay flexible and keep communication lines open

How to understand what the employee is going through;

• Read up
• There are more than 200 types of cancer, each treated in a different way

How to get to grips with legal obligations;

• Familiarise yourself with what a reasonable adjustment looks like
• Don’t assume a cancer patient wants to work less
• Refer to company guidelines and policies

How to ask the right questions about a return to work;

• Talk about returning to work
• Don’t equate ‘recovery’ with ‘cured’
• Managing survivorship and living with cancer

Tim Warren, commercial director at Harley Street Concierge, added: “Not only does it make practical business sense to look after your employee, but as an employer giving the right kind of support says a lot about the overall culture of your organisation.

“We provide expert advice and support for employees and businesses at a fraction of the cost of private medical insurance. We ensure that your valued employees get the support that they need, when they need it most.”

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