About
Do you know your rights to work after a cancer diagnosis and with ongoing menopause symptoms?
From navigating time off, to returning to work, to managing menopause symptoms in the workplace, it can feel overwhelming to know what your rights are and what support you should expect.
I’m joined by Barbara Wilson, from Working With Cancer, who brings over 50 years of experience supporting people through cancer at work.
Together, we break this down in a really practical way— so you can feel more informed and more confident in advocating for yourself.
In this episode, we cover:
- Whether cancer is automatically considered a disability under UK law
- Your rights when returning to work after treatment
- What a good return-to-work plan should actually look like
- What “reasonable adjustments” mean — and real-life examples
- What counts as discrimination in this context
- How much do you need to disclose about your diagnosis (including when applying for a job)
- Whether menopause is recognised as a disability under UK law
- How treatment-induced menopause after cancer is considered in the workplace
- Whether employers are expected to support menopause symptoms
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Introduction
06:31 Supporting employees with cancer
08:07 Discussing cancer diagnoses and menopause
13:38 Creating flexible workplace plans
15:29 Discussing cancer disclosure at work
20:23 Discussing return to work planning
22:00 Discussing phased return to work
28:48 Supporting employees with health challenges
31:22 Menopause and post-cancer life changes
37:16 Flexible work schedule adjustments
43:07 Reevaluating work after cancer diagnosis
44:39 Easing back into work
47:52 Disclosing cancer to an employer
Link to Working with Cancer: https://workingwithcancer.co.uk/
Connect with us:
For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org
Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer
Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub
