Managing cancer in the workplace

Earlier this month, IHC hosted a client seminar on managing cancer in the workplace for 20 HR leaders in Jersey. Here, Gemma Milford, head of IHC’s Offshore division tells us more about the event.

Ensuring that we offer best in class advice to clients is central to our approach, but it’s also about taking that a step further and creating opportunities to discuss the things that matter so that we can really add value to the conversations our clients are having in the workplace.

Our research of client data shows that the two main causes of long-term absence and high-value claims are mental health and cancer. And while there has been a lot of high profile coverage around workplace mental health with an increasing number of resources now available to support employers, the impact of cancer and how to manage it in the workplace is an issue that does not get as much open discussion in HR forums.

Yet the latest statistics show that the incidence of cancer is now 1 in 2. Clearly, this has significant implications for employers both from a professional and personal perspective and so we wanted to create a forum to address a subject that can be tricky to broach.

IHC enlisted the expert help of Keira Wallis, head of clinical services at Healix Health Services to lead the seminar. Keria, who is an experienced nurse, joined Healix Health Services in 2013 as a medical case manager, becoming a nurse consultant within the clinical support team in 2015. Now, in her role as head of clinical services, Keira is responsible for the development and maintenance of cancer services and patient pathways for all trust clients.

Keira was able to provide the context and strong knowledge base for the discussion that focused on the following key areas:

• An overview of cancer support services currently available in Jersey and how this differs to the UK mainland
• Current cancer statistics
• Latest advancements in cancer research, such as genetics testing and immune therapies
• Steps employers can take to support employees with cancer

Drawing on medical claims that Healix has supported, Keira was also able to provide constructive feedback and advice on how employees with cancer themselves would like it to be managed in the workplace.

A factsheet with some takeaway advice including tips and suggestions on supporting an employee going through cancer treatment was provided to attendees. If you would like a copy of the factsheet contact Gemma Milford (gmilford@ihc.co.uk).

IHC would be very happy to support and run more events on topics that impact clients at work. If there is a particular topic of interest, do get in touch.