You do not have to tell your employees that you have cancer. However, it may be worth thinking about how they will feel if you don’t tell them but they find out anyway. It might impact staff morale, cause them to worry more or be upset or wonder why you didn’t tell them what is happening. If you decide to let your employees know, you will need to consider what to tell them.
It is natural for your employees to be concerned about the impact of your diagnosis and treatment on their own future or job security. They may also be a source of support and come up with some options you hadn’t considered for managing any changes to the business caused by the cancer diagnosis.
→ READ MORE: Managing financial issues
Podcast: Coping with a cancer diagnosis
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Brooke Russell, Principal Occupational Therapist, WA Cancer Occupational Therapy, WA; Bianca Alessi, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Prunella Blinman, Medical Oncologist, Concord Cancer Centre, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, NSW; James Chirgwin, Physiotherapist, The Wesley Hospital, QLD; Danielle Curnoe, Consumer; Simon Gates, Barrister, Tasmanian Bar, TAS; Justin Hargreaves, Medical Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Bendigo Health Cancer Centre, VIC; Kaylene Jacques, Director, People and Communications, Cancer Council NSW; Alex Kelly, Senior People Attraction Advisor, Human Resources, Allianz Australia Insurance, NSW; Legal reviewer; Georgina Lohse, Social Worker, GV Health, VIC; Lesley McQuire, Consumer, Cancer Voices NSW.
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