Redundancy and cancer risk

[Willchangebebetter]

Hi everyone,

I do not know what I should be feeling now. My university is going through voluntary leavers scheme for 6 month pay and I believe compulsory redundancy if they do not achieve the necessary number. I already feel so stressed about that although I am working in a kind of cash cow department. But I know that even in my department, several need to go as the student number drops dramatically.

To top up my stress, this week, I found a lump in my breast and got biopsy. The result will come out in 2 weeks. I do not know what to do now. Previously, I thought my job is so secure and if I need a long term sickness leave, my leave will be covered for at least 12 months. But now I do not know what will happen. I know that cancer is listed as a disability in Equality Act. But under the current situation, I do not know whether my university can still make me redundant when I am in my long term sick leave. I do not know whether I should take the voluntary leave or not. I have some confidence that if I am not sick, I will not need to take it. I feel as if everything is crumbling down.

Any advice or sharing is appreciated.

In the first instance contact your union representative for advice. Best of wishes to you in this hard time

It is possible that it’s a cyst and not cancer so wait and see; I can understand your mind running away with the worry but try and distract yourself.
If you wouldn’t normally take voluntary redundancy then don’t do it; even if you had breast cancer it’s unlikely you’d have more than weeks or a couple of months off sick.

Wait until you get the result from your biopsy.

I doubt that it's legal to make someone redundant while they're on long term sick leave, but check with your union or ACAS.

They absolutely can. Are someone redundant while on long term sick. They just have to demonstrate that the reason for selecting the person for redundancy isn’t due to their illness. I guess otherwise what’s to stop people going off sick with stress at the first hint of redundancies.

OP, if I were you I’d stick it out. I believe for 3 out of 4 women in your position it won’t be cancer so hopefully you get good news. Even if it is cancer then start treatment, have sick leave as needed, talk to the union rep, talk to your manager. I wouldn’t take voluntary redundancy if you’d have had no plans to have done so if you hadn’t been ill. We had VR at our place recently and I think it was a max of six months pay. So sick leave would be better anyway 🤷‍♀️. Good luck.

You will have a

The period of consultation on compulsory redundancy is usually at least one month, often three. And it hasn't even started yet as you don't know if you're in line for it or not.

Within 2 weeks you'll either have the all clear or much more info on your breast lump. Try not to worry til you have to - I've had two lumps checked now and both were just normal breast thickening, nothing sinister.

Good luck.

Do not make any decisions now. This is the worst part- waiting for biopsy results. Contact your union for advice about work and wait for your results. Remember this is a very stressful time and be kind to yourself.

Thank you very much everyone for your advice 🙏. I will wait for biopsy results to make the decision. I do not want VR at all. I will consult with the union representative and maybe an employment solicitor if necessary.