A new survey found that nearly four out of ten adults working who are caring for someone with cancer may consider leaving their job due to the lack of support they receive from their employer.
Reframe Cancer, a cancer navigation specialist, conducted research that revealed the emotional and practical stress faced by cancer caregivers. It also revealed growing concerns about employers’ readiness to support an increasing number of working caregivers. Estimates suggest that around 1.1 million adults who are working in the UK care for someone with cancer.
Of those surveyed, 57% said that they were completely unprepared when they started their new role. In addition, 63 per cent said that the emotional strain was making it difficult for them to continue their work. The emotional strain is most evident among younger employees. 67 percent of those aged 18-34 years old reported this problem, the highest percentage of any age group.
While maintaining a paid job, caregivers are responsible for scheduling medical appointments, managing medication, and providing daily assistance such as hygiene and feeding. Many respondents said that employers were not accommodating these needs. According to the study, employers who fail to adapt risk losing their best employees.
Pressure on young carers to return to the workforce
The survey shows that 48 percent felt pressured to return to the workplace quickly after taking a break for caring responsibilities. The highest percentage was again found in the 18-34 age group, where 53 percent said they felt pressured to return to work sooner than they had planned.
A significant number of caregivers are now considering changing their jobs due to this lack of support. 36 percent of respondents stated that they would like to change employers because of the support they received when caring for someone who has cancer. This figure increased to 40% among younger workers.
The study found that employer support can have positive effects, despite these challenges. Sixty two percent of caregivers said that work was a welcome diversion from their role as caregivers. The same proportion of carers felt comfortable discussing their responsibilities with co-workers. In addition, 63 per cent said that their manager expressed interest or concern when informed of their situation.
The most useful solution was flexibility. Forty-eight per cent of caregivers said that flexible hours would help them balance work and caring responsibilities. Forty percent of carers chose to work remotely. One-fourth of respondents said that they need to be able to take time off for caregiving.
Employers need to prepare for the growing number of cancer caregivers
Mark Stephenson, CEO of Reframe Cancer, has warned that the cancer rate will continue to increase, and so will the number working carers. Mark Stephenson, CEO at Reframe Cancer, warned that as cancer rates continue to rise, so will the number of working carers.
Stephenson stated, “Employers will be increasingly required to provide support and employee benefits that are appropriate to cancer caregivers who work. Cancer rates for under-50s have increased by 24 percent over the past two decades. Carers often work and care for a loved one while doing so. This is a huge commitment that employers should fully support.
He said that although many employers might feel unprepared to help cancer caregivers, this was not an excuse.
He said, “There are certain legal requirements they must follow.” They will also need to know that EAP and insurance solutions do not cover cancer caregivers, where some specialist assistance is essential. It’s therefore important to evaluate how to support this growing group in the workplace.
