A GUIDE ON how to help workers return to work after breast cancer and other serious illnesses is being launched this morning.
The guide aims to ensure that workers undergoing treatment or returning to work after treatment have all the necessary help and support they need.
It will assist workers and their unions to negotiate Time off Work Plans that minimise the financial impact of taking time off for treatment and recovery.
Congress Legal Affairs Officer, Esther Lynch, prepared the guide. She said:
“Every person’s situation is unique but we know from talking to members that workers want more control and flexibility in how they take time off for treatment and recovery and more can be done to support workers when they return to work.
People can and do return to a normal life after treatment, hopefully this guide will help in that.
Progress
Congress General Secretary David Begg said: “The publication of this guide illustrates the level of progress made over recent years, in terms of treatment and of better workplace policies.
More than seven women a day are diagnosed with breast cancer and this condition can also affect men, but to a lesser degree.
“Even a decade ago, we would not be having conversations about people returning to work after treatment, even less about how we could best adapt their working environment following treatment.
“There is still a long way to go, but this represents significant success for trade unions, who have long campaigned for better treatment and screening for people affected.”
The guide will be formally launched by Tanaiste Joan Burton.
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