Declare cancer

[Bearcub101]

Do you have to declare that you have cancer when applying for a job?

You may choose to declare it when you do the health declaration when starting.

It is protected under the equality act, so personally, I would declare it once you have signed your contract. You may need time off for treatment etc..... so they will be understanding.

But, you don't have to declare it. It is not a legal requirement.

You don't have to but it would likely be protective to do so.

Thanks that’s what I thought too. It’s for a family member who’s completing applications at the moment.

You don't have to share details of any medical conditions or disabilities to an employer at any time.

However if you want your employer to make reasonable adjustments then they do need to know.

I wouldn't mention it at application stage. But when offered and formalities like contracts and health info are being done that's when I would mention it. A good employer would then send them for an occupational health pre employment so they can put adjustments in place for when they start.

Please think about it from both sides (yes, I am an employer). If I hired someone who then told me on day one they had cancer, that they were mid treatment and needed a lot of time off I would feel hookwinked.

It's not that I would be unsympathetic, but in a small business, hiring someone who then needs a lot of time off makes things very difficult.

So you are saying you wouldn't hire them if you knew before?

It is protected under the equality act. And as 1 in 2 people will get cancer in their lifetime just be grateful its not you!

No, I'm not saying I wouldn't hire them. I'm saying be fair to me and I'll be fair to you

Being realistic, if I were already in employment I might think twice about applying for a new job in these circumstances. It's obviously different if they currently aren't in employment, but an employer has plenty of opportunities to terminate employment in the first two years for other reasons. Or apparently for other reasons.

I'd also say that my answer to the question would depend on the type of employment I was looking for and if I anticipated needing time off for it (having cancer doesn't mean that they will - cancer is automatically counted under the Equality Act and once diagnosed continues to count for life). The Equality Act does not mean that someone is protected from dismissal for taking too much time off for sickness. It only means that the employer might accept more sickness absence than they otherwise would, and what that means depends on a case by case basis. The size of the employer, a unique and / or key role, the amunt of contractual sick pay - these can all be factors in deciding what is reasonable.

No.

Thanks everyone