Ten tips for a successful return to work

How long breast cancer patients remain disabled depends on several factors, including the type and stage of the cancer, the treatments (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy), the side effects, and the physical and mental impact of the disease. With surgery without further intensive treatment, one remains on average on sick leave for three to six months. Usually chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments are required, and one is forced to stay home for six months to a year and a half. In case of complications or as a result of severe fatigue or a chemobrain, incapacity to work can reach more than two years. The nature of the work also plays a role. Physically demanding work requires longer recovery time. In addition, employer policy is crucial. How flexible is the employer? Many breast cancer patients gradually build up their work through a reintegration program. What can you do as an employer and what is best to take into account?

Ten tips for employers

A good reintegration policy increases the chances of a sustainable return and prevents dropout due to overwork after a long-term absence due to (breast) cancer. An employer can do a lot.

1. Pre-return preparation: maintain contact and inform informally on a regular basis how things are going.

2. Discuss needs and wants. Schedule a meeting with the employee and the company physician to see what is possible from as soon as work resumption can be discussed.

3. Show understanding and awareness that recovery is physically and mentally demanding. Fear of relapse and fatigue often play tricks on the employee. Concentration problems result.

4. If possible, part-time startup is desirable. Offer the opportunity to start with a few hours per week and build up slowly.

5. Less stressful or physically demanding tasks can help you find the rhythm again. Consult with colleagues about how to possibly redistribute work on the shop floor.

6. Be flexible. Every cancer patient needs regular medical checkups, usually during working hours.

7. Sensitize colleagues to keep an eye out.

8. Optionally, it may be helpful to designate a confidential advisor.

9. Check whether ergonomic adjustments are desirable for physical limitations such as a thick arm, for example.

10. Schedule conversations that evaluate how things are going and whether the workload requires adjustments.

Self-employed

In Belgium, there are clear differences between employees and the self-employed regarding the duration and impact of disability. In general, the self-employed resume work more quickly than employees. The self-employed usually have no ongoing income and must return to work sooner to make financial ends meet, unless they have disability insurance. On the other hand, they often do set their own work hours and pace, allowing them to start light work earlier. They have more autonomy in their recovery process.