Many people diagnosed with breast cancer do not receive medical advice about how and when to return to work. Talking with your employee about their needs and assisting them can help them return to work and settle back in.

Ways to offer support

There are a number of ways in which you can offer support to your employee:

• Joint return to work planning – discuss the best return to work plan and reasonable adjustments required, for example, this could mean allowing them to have a flexible working week or a phased return.
• Easing the handover of work – ensuring their workload is lighter or spread out can help your employee feel less overwhelmed on their return.
• Alternative employment – help your employee change roles, either temporarily or permanently to suit their needs.

Useful information

For further information, the following resources are available:

• For information about breast cancer and treatments, visit the Understanding breast cancer section.
• For a simple explanation of breast cancer, download the plain English version of the About breast cancer booklet.
• Download BCNA's Tips for managers of people diagnosed with breast cancer to learn how to support your employee.
• BCNA's Legal rights and responsibilities – for employers to become familiar with your rights and responsibilities as an employer of a person with a serious illness.
• For information to support the employment of people with cancer contact JobAccess 1800 464 800 or visit the JobAccess website.