Worried I am letting the team down.

[user87677898]

Last year I was diagnosed with cancer and still feel tired from my treatment, now I have been told I have anaemia so the tiredness is extreme at the moment. I was just starting to get a bit more energy at work and now this.
My problem is I always feel as if I am letting my colleagues down, because I get tired quicker I can be slower at my job. I don't want to tell them that some parts of the job I struggle with because I feel as if they will think I am playing on my illness.

Gosh they won’t remotely think you are playing on your illness. Everyone knows cancer treatment is a bugger to get through.

If you feel you being a bit slower is noticeable, explain to your manager/HR that you have anaemia, it’s being treated but you are a bit more tired than usual right now, and once you’ve told them you can mention it to colleagues as and when you need to.

We none of us work 100% all the time, whether that’s because of cancer, a painful twisted ankle, a baby that won’t sleep or a bout of depression. Everyone experiences this stuff.

I hope you start to feel better soon

You are entitled to reasonable adjustments at work - cancer is covered under disability legislation - is this something you can talk about with your manager? Perhaps your tasks could be changed or rearranged, or you could have extra breaks?

You certainly are not letting anyone down - it isn't your fault your treatment is tiring you.

I hope your treatment goes well