Your rights at work

Breast Cancer Care has produced the EMPLOY charter to provide employers with guidance on best practice in supporting staff members who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. 

People with cancer are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). This states that employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to help employees return to work, to have time off for medical appointments or continued treatment and recovery.

You do not have to tell your employer any details of your diagnosis and treatment, however if you are returning to work, the EMPLOY charter information may help you plan any discussions you might have with your employer when preparing for this. 

• Read the full EMPLOY charter and make sure you know the facts about cancer and employment.
• Visit our EMPLOY website and help spread the word about our campaign.

How much information you give about your breast cancer to those involved with your return to work is a personal decision. However, you have the right for any information given to be kept private and only discussed with other people with your permission.

Do I have to tell a new employer about my diagnosis?

Many people are concerned that giving information about their cancer diagnosis at the time of applying for a job may affect their chances of being successful. If you have, or have had breast cancer, the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) protects you against any discrimination relating to employment - including the recruitment process.

Information regarding your health can be asked for by an employer if it is relevant to the job or is to be used as part of equal opportunities monitoring.

During the recruitment process, if you are asked directly about your health it is important you answer truthfully. Giving false or incomplete information could mislead your employer. However you can present the details in a way that can alleviate any concerns an employer may have, or discuss these details once a decision about the right candidate has been made.