What should I tell my employer?

What and how much you tell your employer will depend on your preferences, your workplace and the kind of relationship you have. You may want to let your employer know whether you:

  • will be able to continue working (and for how long)
  • will be able to perform all of your job duties
  • want other people in your workplace to know
  • need to take time off work (and when you are likely to return)
  • need any workplace adjustments.

You may need to talk with your health care team before you can answer these questions. Some answers may not be clear until you’ve started treatment. Remember that you do not need to share all the details of your illness with your employer. You only need to tell them about anything that may affect your ability to work or cause a health and safety risk for yourself or others.

Talking to your employer

  • You may feel more confident talking to your employer if you practise what you want to say with your family and friends.
  • Decide beforehand how much information you want to share. Prepare some notes so you don’t forget anything.
  • Consider taking a support person with you to help with the discussion.
  • Request a meeting in a quiet, private place where you won’t be interrupted. Allow plenty of time for your discussion.
  • Come to the meeting with some ideas about your needs and how any impact on the workplace can be dealt with.
  • Reassure your employer of your commitment to your job.
  • Be prepared for your employer to bring up your working arrangements, e.g. they may ask if you want to change your work schedule. If you don’t know, say that you need time to think about your options.
  • Keep notes about the discussion. Write down any agreed changes to your working arrangements for you and your employer to sign.
  • Don’t feel that you have to agree on everything in the first meeting. You may both need to get more information.
  • Refer your employer to Cancer Council’s online Workplace Fact Sheets for employers and workplaces. 

Key resource

Download a PDF booklet on this topic.

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Cancer, Work & You

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More resources

This information was last reviewed in November 2019. View who reviewed this content.

Kerryann White, Manager, People and Culture, Cancer Council SA; Nicola Martin, Principal, McCabe Curwood, NSW; Jane Auchettl, Coordinator, Education and Training Programs, Cancer Council Victoria; Craig Brewer, Consumer; Alana Cochrane, Human Resources Business Partner, Greater Bank Newcastle, NSW; Shona Gates, Senior Social Worker, North West Cancer Centre, North West Regional Hospital, TAS; Dianne Head, Cancer Nurse Coordinator, Metastatic Breast Cancer, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre Westmead, NSW; Alex Kelly, Talent Acquisition Business Partner, Aon, NSW; Prof Bogda Koczwara AM, Senior Staff Specialist, Department of Medical Oncology, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Sharyn McGowan, Occupational Therapist, Bendigo Health, VIC; Jeanne Potts, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; Michelle Smerdon, Legal and Financial Support Services Manager, Cancer Council NSW. We would also like to than the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this title.

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