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Everyone’s Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia experience is different, and this is the same when it comes to working with WM. How your WM affects your working life depends on factors like your WM symptoms, whether you’re on treatment and what your work involves. Whatever your situation, it’s important to know that as someone living with cancer you have rights in the workplace.
Some ways your diagnosis might affect your ability to work include:
Every individual’s experience with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia (WM) is unique, particularly in how it affects their work life. The impact of WM on your job can vary based on several factors such as the symptoms you experience, whether you are undergoing treatment, and the nature of your work duties.
It’s important to understand that as a person living with cancer, you have specific rights at work. Here are some ways WM may affect your professional life:
Understanding these aspects can help you better manage your health in relation to your employment and ensure you are aware of your rights and available accommodations.
When to tell your employer is a personal decision and you do not have to tell them. However, if you do tell them, they can help you by making ‘reasonable adjustments’ like ensuring you can take time off for appointments.
If you don’t tell your employer, it might make things difficult if you are struggling to fulfil your duties or need to take lots of time off. Your work might also have schemes in place to support you – if you don’t tell them, you may be missing out on programmes that could assist you.
You might feel quite well at the moment, but it can be helpful to speak to your employer so that they’re prepared if your symptoms become worse or you need to be on treatment.
Conversations you have with your work around your diagnosis should remain confidential from your colleagues unless you state otherwise.
As someone living with cancer, you are classed as having a disability. This means that you can’t be treated less favourably than you might be if you didn’t have WM. If you are treated differently, then this is classed as discrimination and you are protected by the law.
Your work must consider making what are known as ‘reasonable adjustments’ when they learn about your diagnosis. Reasonable adjustments are changes your employer must make to remove or reduce disadvantages you face in carrying out your role because of your WM. For example:
If the change to your work is reasonable then your employee must make it.
You can find out more about reasonable adjustments at ACAS
When WM impacts your ability to work, you may need to take time off for various reasons:
You work may have policies in place for taking time off work, so it’s important to speak to them so you know what you’re entitled to. If you know about your appointments and treatment in advance, it’s a good idea to let your work know as soon as possible. This will allow you both to make a plan to cover the time you’re taking off.
There are two types of sick pay, if you work for an employer:
In both cases, you’ll need to tell your employer that you’re sick. There will be rules that you’ll need to follow about telling your work, and you may need a doctor’s note after a certain amount of time off work.
