Fired without notice - I have terminal cancer - what to do?

[Mothrasstillmoshing]

Sorry this is going to be a long post I will try to explain as best as I can but I need some advice please.
I have terminal S4 cancer but I'm managing fairly well and until December I was working my usual job with some adjustments and I'd had no complaints about my work etc.
I was first diagnosed in 2022, had surgery & chemo etc and was off sick for 6 months. I returned to normal duties after a phased return and was given the all clear in early 2023. All was fine until early 2024 when I was diagnosed with the exact same cancer, in the exact same place but more advanced than before. I will add that I received awful treatment in 2022/23 from oncology and was left with CPTSD/depression etc and it was obvious that nothing's different this time (both hospitals involved are awful, very dismissive and rude) which led me to deciding not to have any treatment this time and let nature take it's course. Two years down the line I am gradually getting towards the end but I'm still living normally with medication/pain relief/support etc.

I work 14 hours per week (NMW rate) for a very large medical type charity in their retail arm since late 2021 - so I'm a retail assistant in a shop which is a popular busy one. The adjustments that I have had (since about late 2024) are things like no consecutive shift days, extra breaks (rarely needed), no lifting of heavy donations/items, no operation of equipment like vacuums or steamers etc so not much really compared to the rest of my duties. I will also say now that I am diagnosed with ADHD and autism which I declared to my employer from the beginning and it's never been an issue. Neither has there ever been any issues with my work raised and any small issues have been sorted between myself and my manager. I've always enjoyed my job.

I was signed off sick in December 2025 because I tired, felt ill and my manager had been treating me differently and poorly so I was excessively stressed/depressed. I had an occupational health assessment last month which said I was fully capable to return to duties with the addition of no lone working, set work days and to follow the same adjustments as before but mentioned tiredness/exhaustion/tumour pain.
I had an interview last Thursday with my area manager (my manager's boss) and he went through the OH report, asked if I'd consider redeployment/WFH transferring to other duties/job (yes I would), discussed my physical health and medication (low dose slow release morphine). He gave the impression that it was doable and we had a refreshment break. When he returned to the meeting he said that he was terminating my employment immediately from that minute. He said HR will email the decision later that day and that I could appeal. That was it.

I am still waiting for this documentation to come through from HR and I've been told to wait for how ever long it takes. The company's own sickness guidance states that you must appeal within 7 days of being told of the dismissal.
I have put in a SAR to the companies data officer today because I have a very bad feeling over the whole thing - not only have I lost my income/job but I've lost my death in service insurance.

So what can I do? What are my options now seeing as my employer is already being obstructive?

I know that I have a Protected Characteristic under disability law. I have already suffered discrimination from my employer because they have refused to carry over my unused holiday entitlement in 2024 & 2025 and I had to lodge a complaint at the end of last year and in February they agreed to 'award' me my correct entitlement but I had to fight for it. My store manager is very poor and has a history (which is ongoing) of denying staff their correct breaks, being difficult when wanting holiday, restricting access to our own work records online etc. It was a disagreement over my holiday entitlement, plus she told me some outrageous lies, that caused me to go off sick in December.

Sorry this so long but I'm hoping that someone can give advice as to how to proceed.
Thanks for any advice xx

But it is the truth

This. Hopefully the details will sort things short term

What shitty way to treat somebody. I wonder how they sleep at night. I would be going to the National press with this

I was going to say this too. Expose this nasty, nasty treatment publicly. I know, if I had things to donate to a charity shop, I would actively avoid this one; and if enough people do the same and they get no donations in, either the shop closes or - much better - the charity eats humble pie and makes it public that the old manager has been 'let go' and replaced with a human one.

It seems absolutely madness - and won't go unnoticed by people if this is exposed - that it's a medical charity, but they actively and pointlessly throw somebody with a terminal illness under the bus.

Sad to say, I think it's the death in service benefit that he's trying to avoid paying out; and - vile as it is - he may well be hoping to drag out your appeal for as long as it takes until you're no longer here or well enough to keep fighting. Horrible, horrible man.

This is truly shocking by your manager especially if there is an HR function. First, check your contract to see if notice has to be given in writing. If so, then so far technically they haven’t dismissed you as not provided the correct notice. However, if that was the case you might want to claim constructive dismissal. Have a think about what would be your best outcome, ie to keep your job for the benefits (which could then be out on sick leave) or to leave but with a severance.

I would write to HR summarising the meeting and making clear you were asked if you were willing to do different duties and said yes and then your manager abruptly said he was dismissing you. Say how shocked you are etc. Keep a good paper trail so they can’t subsequently challenge what was said.

As others have said, call ACAS and also the Citizens Advice Bureau could possibly be helpful (not sure of their remit).

I think the only person who gets a say in how they want to proceed in how their life draws to a close is the person who is dying.

Their reasons are theirs; and that's all that matters.

I’m sure it’s somewhat more complicated than this.
Disgusting post.

@Everydayisanew Thank you for your advice. I will send a holding email to my area manager appealing the decision pending receipt of the official notice arriving plus I will request an email contact in HR so I can go directly if I need to.

Our HR does not provide email addresses for lower staff to use - we're supposed to go through their version of an intranet but our shop manager has been restricting our access to it for quite a long time so that we can't even get our payslips unless we ask for them again and again. Same with requesting holiday - all applications have to go through her and it was only in November that I discovered the correct procedure and still she obstructed our access to the only computer at our place of work. The whole environment is toxic to be honest. My manager already had my replacement lined up in December and loudly told them that I was dying and not to worry you'll have Mothra's job soon enough (as overheard by several colleagues).

Sadly MacMillan no longer have the funds to give legal advice and to be honest I do 14hrs a week, I never thought to join a union when we earn so little that we don't even qualify to join the pension scheme.
For those who asked, the area manager stated that he was worried about my exhaustion levels and that it made me incapable of working. He based this on one comment - I'd said that I'd done the supermarket shop the previous day and was exhausted & felt like a nap when I got home as it was so exhausting. This shopping trip was after 4pm, took 2 hours and with 30mins put away time back home so anyone would probably say this???? This was on the back of a discussion about cashing up/end of day duties. We've never had to do this as part of our duties and the contract wording is very flimsy as to whether we must do it. The shop manager is a control freak and never let anyone learn this apart from 2 managers + 3 paid staff (yes it has caused problems) and suddenly it has become a problem and everyone now has to do it. I said that after standing in the shop continuously for 8 hours and with my health as it now stands, I didn't feel that I could now learn it (complicated procedure) adequately with being tired and my ADHD/autism without making huge mistakes. One other member of staff with undiagnosed ASD has been excused for these duties already.

@Raccoonswillonedayrevolt Yes, I am terminal. I was told in 2024 that I'd be dead by that Christmas and yet, here I am over 2 years later still going. My cancer is spreading but with medication and adequate rest I can live normally - mostly. As to what I want? What upsets me most is the loss of death in service insurance for my partner and kids. It's going to be less than 30k but my partner will need that money to replace the loss of income (I have a private pension & PIP). I have been reassured all along that The * doesn't sack employees with cancer - we take care of our own.

Check your original contract for the process in regards to termination of employment, notice terms etc. It sounds like they may have fired you under gross misconduct with immediate effect but you’re still entitled to know why and have a right to appeal. Normally a warning would come first. The letter should give more detail. Having a disability doesn’t necessarily protect you from being fired but they should be treading carefully where it is directly or indirectly related to your disability. The number of disabilities you have is not relevant. You could perhaps work out what sickness may be considered disability leave over sick leave as that can be useful in these types of situation. If it was me I think I’d write to HR ahead of receiving the letter to remind if it’s disability leave and that you’ve not been given clear detail as to why you have been dismissed. I’d also ask them for the dismissal policies.

Get in touch with ACAS ASAP. Do NOT wait for the document. Your employer is breaching several laws. Did he give you any reason for the immediate termination?

Call ACAS for free advice and if they think you have a case get a solicitor

Rarely have I felt so angry about how another person has been treated.. Please contact everyone suggested to you, I understand completely that you are concerned about the payment to your DH and how much that means to you. I'm wondering if that is why they have made the decision to end your employment, are they working on the theory that any payment they might have to make regarding your unfair dismissal will be less than the death benefit? Sorry to be blunt, but that was my 1st thought about their decision. Sending a gentle hug.

This is disgusting behaviour from your employer and so sorry you are going though this. You could appeal and contact a solicitor but this could be a stressful experience.

Consider the big picture and if you want to spend the time you have left doing this or something else for yourself and your family. You will prove them wrong but is it worth it.

This might be useful https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/information/money-and-work/work-and-terminal-illness

@Oddgain @Shessweetbutapsycho
It's more complicated than just deciding to give it all a miss but if you're happy to be lied to, ignored & shouted at by medical staff, to be discharged from A&E while suffering from untreated sepsis and to be suddenly held down physically by a nurse while another rips your PICC line out painfully because it's 4.30pm and they want to go home early then crack on. You have NOT walked in my shoes and I hope that you never will.
Now off you pop!

Contact macmillan on their national phone line. They have a specialist team for employment issues.

You can look up which are the best employment solicitors in your area on 'Chambers and Partners' or the 'Legal 500' if you are not a member of a Union.

Btw people, please join a Union : they have the experience and knowledge to fight this sort of attack. Fortunately there are now 3,677,000 women in Unions ( 2024 figures) ad growing, ie more women than men (2,700,000) and 50% of the General Secretaries of the largest unions are women. Often the mere mention of involving a Union will stop this sort of thing.

Can you check your death in service policy? Mine pays out in the event of a terminal diagnosis.

OP, I am gobsmacked that any employer would treat you like this. That a medical charity has done so beggars belief. I’m so sorry.

I would strongly recommend getting in touch with Didlaw . They are excellent specialist disability employment solicitors. I have used them personally and they were brilliant. I think they offer a free 30 minute chat so you can explain your situation and they can give you a quick overview of how they could help.

OP is here about employment problems so your views on her health choices. The audacity

Unfortunately, those benefits are hard to get. I too have stage 4 cancer and am not eligible for anything.

How do your harsh words help OP? You are scolding and berating a dying woman who has just been sacked and who is asking for advice on the Legal Matters forum.

If you don't have anything helpful, kind or instructive to say, please don't bother posting more self-satisfied bile.

I would fight this case - find out the reason for termination and go from there. I'd imagine with your OH report you would struggle to get any unemployment benefits if you are still capable of working.

It says it is terminal in the thread title.

She loses her death in service insurance so it is a significant impact on op and her family.

It is disgusting

The title and OP both say she has terminal cancer.