Work

I'm not sure of your exact situation, but being made redundant while undergoing cancer treatment seems a really crappy thing to do to you!! I'm so sorry!

For me, I was an english teacher and because of my health, am unable to return to teaching - so I do feel your pain!

What is your profession? Could you do your job on a contract basis, so you wouldn't need worry about calling in sick? x

Hi Laura I was working in recruitment as an office manager. It was a small form and they were reorganising the team anyway. Difficult to be an office manager on a contract basis, but I'm going to look at admin jobs that I might be able to do from home. Won't be paid nearly as well, but it's better than nothing, right? I don't know whether to tell them about my health, or if it's best not to. I know there are protections for people with health issues but in practise, do they work? xxx

Hi, I was working in a school as a teaching assistant when I was diagnosed with brain cancer. I was forced to take a year and a half out of work. I needed a 'fit to work' letter to give to my employer and my doctors refused to write one until they were convinced that I was physically well enough. After a year of being back at work I was made redundant. So I was in a similar situaion. I'm now working in a lifeskills college for kids with special needs, on a contract basis. I call the shots on when I work. If I'm too exhausted from treatment or need a day off for hospital appointments I'm fully within my rights to take that time off. A bonus is that they don't rely on their contract employees so I don't feel too guilty about not going in. 

The main thing is that you feel ready to start working again. Looking back now, I was thankful to my doctors for noticing that I wasn't ready to return to work, however frustrating it was at the time. 

I only work part-time now, I feel a lot better doing with that. Working full-time I was just exhausted all the time and it was making me ill. It doesn't feel like most people realise that you aren't up to your old strength after you've been ill and you can't do the things you used to be able to do. Maybe you should try a part-time job to see how that goes? 

Over the next few months, we're going to build a work-specific area hosted by the wonderful Lisa Whittleton (a work rehabilitation specialist), so we'll let you know when it's up and running! x