88% of employees believe a workplace cancer policy is important but only 19% say their company has one – new research from Core in partnership with Purple House Cancer Support

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  • Core and Purple House Cancer Support launch ‘Cancer Care at Work’, an initiative that will provide practical advice and guidance for employers who want to create or enhance their cancer support policy
  • Seven in ten employees (73%) feel a cancer diagnosis negatively impacts career progression, while over half (57%) of employees who have had cancer confirm this
  • Two thirds (67%) say the existence of a cancer support policy would influence their decision to work at a company

 88% of employees believe that a workplace cancer policy is important, but only 19% say their company has one, according to new research from Core, Ireland’s largest marketing communications company, in partnership with Purple House Cancer Support, a leading cancer support centre in Ireland.

The research, which gathered insights from 1,000 members of the general public, 85 employers across various sectors in Ireland, and employees who have experienced cancer in the workplace, also revealed that over seven in ten (73%) believe a cancer diagnosis negatively impacts career progression with over half (57%) of employees who have had cancer confirming this.

The research, unveiled today, also shows that 91% of employers expressed a willingness to implement cancer support policies, yet fewer than one in five companies currently have one in place. Two thirds (67%) also said that the existence of a cancer support policy would influence their decision to work at a company.

To address this, Core and Purple House Cancer Support, the first ever community-based cancer support centre in Ireland, have launched ’Cancer Care at Work’, a framework which will enable employers and businesses to create a policy and support system for employees who receive a cancer diagnosis or are supporting a loved one undergoing treatment.

Companies can learn more or sign up at https://www.cancercareatwork.com/

The research also identifies four key areas employees would like included in a workplace cancer policy:

  1. Emotional Support: Counselling services, workplace culture pledges, and peer support groups were among the most sought-after supports and seen as highly feasible by employers
  2. Physical Support: Flexible treatment accommodations, fitness & rehabilitation programmes, and nutritional support rank highly, but employees stress the need for choice and autonomy in these supports
  3. Education & Awareness: Training for people managers is one of the key supports that both employers and employees would like to have access to
  4. Financial Support: Employees highly value Private Health Insurance membership, health insurance upgrades, and financial counselling

The research also revealed that:

  • Half of adults would feel uncomfortable disclosing a diagnosis to an employer (49% of all adults with 13% not sure)
  • On the upside, seven in ten feel their employers would be supportive (73%)
  • Main concerns for those who had / have cancer and are working, centred around financial concerns, job security and recover
  • 67% of Irish people say that a set policy designed to support cancer patients would influence their decision to work there
  • Only 25% of employers believe their management teams are adequately trained to handle a cancer diagnoses within the workforce, highlighting a lack of preparedness among employers which could result in a number of challenges for employees undergoing or recovering from treatment.

Nicola Gillen, Chief of Staff at Core, said: “With one in two people likely to receive a diagnosis in their lifetime, it is imperative that employers introduce policies that support employees undergoing a cancer diagnosis or treatment. This research confirms what many employees living with cancer already know – while workplaces want to help, the policies and structures simply aren’t there, A Cancer Care at Work Policy is not just a ‘nice to have’ – it is a business and human imperative. By asking employers to participate, we are breaking down any stigma associated with a cancer diagnosis and demonstrate that you can still have a fulfilling and valuable career when you have the right supports in place.

This collaboration with Purple House Cancer Support is very much a passion project for me. I am a cancer survivor and felt truly supported by my colleagues in Core during my treatment and when I returned to work. As a result, it was important to me that we use our expertise in this area to effect change in the wider business community.”

Conor O’Leary, Director of Operations at Purple House Cancer Support added: “At Purple House, we have always been committed to providing comprehensive support to those affected by cancer. Our mission is to ensure that no one faces cancer alone, and today, we extend that mission into workplaces across the country. Cancer affects not only the individual but also their families, colleagues, and the broader community. The workplace is a significant part of this community, and I hear this regularly in my work as a cancer counsellor in Purple House. It is crucial that we create an environment where those affected by cancer feel supported and understood. The time to act is now. Irish businesses must take meaningful steps to ensure that those diagnosed with cancer feel supported, valued, and empowered to remain in the workforce.”